Hand-Controllable Signal-Generating Devices and Systems

ABSTRACT

Apparatus including: hand-controllable signal-generating device that includes body having top side, and bottom side spaced apart from and facing away from top side, bottom side being configured for facilitating displacements of body over working surface in two-dimensional directions, body having biaxial-displacement detector configured for generating biaxial displacement signals representative of displacements of body in two-dimensional directions; and signal transmitter configured for communicating biaxial displacement signals to external electronic processor. Body has palm rest on top side; palm rest includes palm contact surface having contour for receiving portion of palm of person&#39;s hand into contact at position on palm contact surface. Contour of palm contact surface is configured for facilitating control by portion of palm of person&#39;s hand, being in contact at position on palm contact surface, of displacements of body in two-dimensional directions over working surface. System including digit-controllable signal generating device and hand-controllable signal generating device. Related processes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of hand-controllablesignal-generating devices and systems, and processes related to suchdevices and systems.

2. Background of the Invention

Numerous hand-controllable signal-generating devices, and systemsincluding such devices, have been developed. As examples, suchhand-controllable signal-generating devices include various “mouse”devices that may be utilized for controlling a cursor on a graphicaluser interface. Despite the existence of these and other devices,further improvements are still needed in hand-controllablesignal-generating devices and systems; and in processes related to thesedevices and systems.

SUMMARY

In an example of an implementation, an apparatus is provided thatincludes a hand-controllable signal-generating device. In this exampleof an apparatus, the hand-controllable signal-generating deviceincludes: a body having a top side, and having a bottom side spacedapart by a distance from and facing away from the top side, the bottomside being configured for facilitating displacements of the body over aworking surface in two-dimensional directions with the bottom sidefacing the working surface, the body having a biaxial-displacementdetector that is configured for generating biaxial displacement signalsthat are representative of detected displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions over the working surface. Also in thisexample of an apparatus, the hand-controllable signal-generating devicefurther includes a signal transmitter configured for communicating thebiaxial displacement signals to an external electronic processor.Further in this example of an apparatus, the body has a palm rest on thetop side, the palm rest including a palm contact surface, the palmcontact surface having a contour for receiving a portion of a palm of aperson's hand into contact at a position on the palm contact surface.Additionally in this example of an apparatus, the contour of the palmcontact surface is configured for facilitating control by the portion ofthe palm of the person's hand, being in contact at the position on thepalm contact surface, of the displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions over the working surface.

In some examples of implementations of the apparatus, the externalelectronic processor may include a microprocessor.

In further examples of implementations of the apparatus: the person'shand may have one digit or a plurality of digits; and the contour of thepalm contact surface of the palm rest may be configured for facilitatingcontrol by the portion of the palm of the person's hand of thedisplacements of the body in the two-dimensional directions over theworking surface from the position on the palm contact surface, withoutthe one digit or any of the plurality of the digits of the person's handbeing in contact with the hand-controllable signal-generating device.

In additional examples of implementations of the apparatus: the person'shand may have one digit or a plurality of digits; and the contour of thepalm contact surface of the palm rest may be configured for guiding theone digit or the plurality of the digits of the person's hand away fromthe palm contact surface simultaneously while receiving the portion ofthe palm of the person's hand into contact at the position on the palmcontact surface.

In other examples of implementations of the apparatus: the person's handmay have one digit or a plurality of digits; and the contour of the palmcontact surface of the palm rest may be configured for positioning theone digit or the plurality of the digits of the person's hand as beingsubstantially unencumbered by the palm contact surface when the portionof the palm of the person's hand is in contact at the position on thepalm contact surface.

In some examples of implementations of the apparatus: the contour of thepalm contact surface of the palm rest may be configured for receivingthe portion of the palm of the person's hand into contact at asubstantially-fixed position on the palm contact surface. In furtherexamples of implementations of the apparatus: the contour of the palmcontact surface of the palm rest may be configured for repeatedlyreceiving the portion of the palm of the person's hand into contact atthe substantially-fixed position on the palm contact surface.

In additional examples of implementations of the apparatus, thebiaxial-displacement detector may be located at the bottom side of thebody.

In other examples of implementations of the apparatus, thebiaxial-displacement detector may be configured for generating thebiaxial displacement signals as being cursor control signals.

In some examples of implementations of the apparatus, thebiaxial-displacement detector may be configured for generating thebiaxial displacement signals as being keyboard control signals orjoystick control signals.

In further examples of implementations of the apparatus: the palmcontact surface of the palm rest may include a mound having a peak anddownwardly-sloping sides; and the portion of the palm of the person'shand may include a first part of the palm that is nearest to a wrist ofthe person; and the first part of the palm may be received into contacton a first portion of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound when theportion of the palm is at the position on the palm contact surface; andthe first portion of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound may havean attached upwardly-sloping lip. In additional examples ofimplementations of the apparatus: the person's hand may have one digitor a plurality of digits; and the one digit or the plurality of thedigits of the person's hand may include a thumb digit, and may includeone non-thumb digit or a plurality of non-thumb digits; and the portionof the palm of the person's hand may include a second part of the palmthat is farthest from the person's thumb digit; and the second part ofthe palm may be received into contact on a second portion of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound when the portion of the palm is atthe position on the palm contact surface; and the second portion of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound may have another attachedupwardly-sloping lip. In other examples of implementations of theapparatus: the palm of the person's hand may include another portionbeing nearest to the person's thumb digit; and the palm contact surfacemay be shaped for guiding the another portion of the palm away from thepalm contact surface simultaneously while receiving the portion of thepalm of the person's hand into contact at the position on the palmcontact surface. In some examples of implementations of the apparatus:the palm of the person's hand may include an additional portion beingnearest to the one non-thumb digit or to the plurality of the non-thumbdigits of the person's hand; and the palm contact surface may be shapedfor guiding the additional portion of the palm away from the palmcontact surface simultaneously while receiving the portion of the palmof the person's hand into contact at the position on the palm contactsurface.

In some examples of implementations of the apparatus, the palm contactsurface of the palm rest may have a perimeter, and the position may bedefined by the perimeter of the palm contact surface.

In further examples of implementations of the apparatus, the palm restmay be adjustably mounted on the top side of the body.

In additional examples of implementations of the apparatus, the palmrest may be pivotally mounted over the top side of the body. In otherexamples of implementations, the apparatus may include a joystick on thetop side of the body, and the palm rest may be mounted on the joystick.In some examples of implementations of the apparatus: the joystick mayinclude an angular-displacement detector; and the angular-displacementdetector may be configured for generating angular-displacement signalsthat are representative of detected angular displacements of the palmrest over the top side of the body; and the signal transmitter may beconfigured for communicating the angular-displacement signals to theexternal electronic processor. In further examples of implementations ofthe apparatus: the joystick may include a compressive force detector;and the compressive force detector may be configured for generatingcompressive force signals that are representative of detectedcompressive forces applied by the palm of the person's hand to the palmrest towards the top side of the body; and the signal transmitter may beconfigured for communicating the compressive force signals to theexternal electronic processor.

In additional examples of implementations, the apparatus may include arotational-displacement detector being configured for generatingrotational displacement signals that are representative of detectedrotational displacements of the body in the two-dimensional directionsover the working surface, and the signal transmitter may be configuredfor communicating the rotational displacement signals to the externalelectronic processor. In other examples of implementations of theapparatus, the rotational-displacement detector may include a gyroscope,accelerometer, or compass.

In some examples of implementations of the apparatus, thebiaxial-displacement detector may be located at the bottom side of thebody, and the apparatus may further include a rotational-displacementdetector being configured for generating rotational displacement signalsthat are representative of detected rotational displacements of the bodyin the two-dimensional directions over the working surface, and thesignal transmitter may be configured for communicating the rotationaldisplacement signals to the external electronic processor. In furtherexamples of implementations of the apparatus, therotational-displacement detector may include an additionalbiaxial-displacement detector that may be spaced apart from thebiaxial-displacement detector.

In an example of another implementation, a system is provided thatincludes: a digit-controllable signal-generating device for generatingdigit signals; and a hand-controllable signal-generating device. Thehand-controllable signal-generating device includes a body having a topside, and has a bottom side spaced apart by a distance from and facingaway from the top side, the bottom side being configured forfacilitating displacements of the body over a working surface intwo-dimensional directions with the bottom side facing the workingsurface, the body having a biaxial-displacement detector that isconfigured for generating biaxial displacement signals that arerepresentative of detected displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions over the working surface. The system furtherincludes a signal transmitter configured for communicating the biaxialdisplacement signals and the digit signals to an external electronicprocessor. In the hand-controllable signal-generating device, the bodyhas a palm rest on the top side, the palm rest including a palm contactsurface, the palm contact surface having a contour for receiving aportion of a palm of a person's hand into contact at a position on thepalm contact surface. Additionally, the contour of the palm contactsurface is configured for facilitating control of the digit-controllablesignal-generating device for generating digit signals by the person'shand simultaneously with control of displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions by the portion of the palm being at theposition on the palm contact surface.

In some examples of implementations of the system, the externalelectronic processor may include a microprocessor.

In further examples of implementations of the system, thedigit-controllable signal-generating device may include a keyboardhaving a plurality of digit-controllable keys. In additional examples ofimplementations of the system, the plurality of the digit-controllablekeys may be arranged in a plurality of rows. In other examples ofimplementations of the system, the plurality of the rows of thedigit-controllable keys may be arranged in a concave arc configured forplacing each one of the plurality of the digit-controllable keys in aposition suitable for being controlled by the one digit or by a one ofthe plurality of the digits of the person's hand simultaneously with theportion of the palm of the person's hand being in contact at theposition on the palm contact surface.

In some examples of implementations of the system, thedigit-controllable signal-generating device may include athumb-controllable joystick. In further examples of implementations ofthe system, the digit-controllable signal-generating device may includea digit-controllable key located adjacent to the thumb-controllablejoystick.

In additional examples of implementations, the system may include anintegral housing for the digit-controllable signal-generating device andthe hand-controllable signal-generating device.

In other examples of implementations of the system, the palm rest may beadjustably mounted on the top side of the body of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device.

In some examples of implementations of the system: the person's hand mayhave one digit or a plurality of digits; and the contour of the palmcontact surface of the palm rest may be configured for facilitatingcontrol by the portion of the palm of the person's hand of thedisplacements of the body in the two-dimensional directions over theworking surface from the position on the palm contact surface withoutthe one digit or any of the plurality of the digits of the person's handbeing in contact with the hand-controllable signal-generating device.

In further examples of implementations of the system: the person's handmay have one digit or a plurality of digits; and the contour of the palmcontact surface of the palm rest may be configured for guiding the onedigit or the plurality of the digits of the person's hand away from thepalm contact surface simultaneously while receiving the portion of thepalm of the person's hand into contact at the position on the palmcontact surface.

In additional examples of implementations of the system: the person'shand may have one digit or a plurality of digits; and the contour of thepalm contact surface of the palm rest may be configured for positioningthe one digit or the plurality of the digits of the person's hand asbeing substantially unencumbered by the palm contact surface when theportion of the palm of the person's hand is in contact at the positionon the palm contact surface.

In other examples of implementations of the system, the contour of thepalm contact surface of the palm rest may be configured for receivingthe portion of the palm of the person's hand into contact at asubstantially-fixed position on the palm contact surface. In someexamples of implementations of the system, the contour of the palmcontact surface of the palm rest may be configured for repeatedlyreceiving the portion of the palm of the person's hand into contact atthe substantially-fixed position on the palm contact surface.

In further examples of implementations of the system, thebiaxial-displacement detector may be located at the bottom side of thebody.

In additional examples of implementations of the system, thebiaxial-displacement detector may be configured for generating thebiaxial displacement signals as being cursor control signals.

In other examples of implementations of the system, thebiaxial-displacement detector may be configured for generating thebiaxial displacement signals as being keyboard control signals orjoystick control signals.

In some examples of implementations of the system: the palm contactsurface of the palm rest may include a mound having a peak anddownwardly-sloping sides; and the portion of the palm of the person'shand may include a first part of the palm that is nearest to a wrist ofthe person; and the first part of the palm may be received into contacton a first portion of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound when theportion of the palm is at the position on the palm contact surface; andthe first portion of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound may havean attached upwardly-sloping lip. In further examples of implementationsof the system: the person's hand may have one digit or a plurality ofdigits; and the one digit or the plurality of the digits of the person'shand may include a thumb digit, and may include one non-thumb digit or aplurality of non-thumb digits; and the portion of the palm of theperson's hand may include a second part of the palm that is farthestfrom the person's thumb digit; and the second part of the palm may bereceived into contact on a second portion of the downwardly-slopingsides of the mound when the portion of the palm is at the position onthe palm contact surface; and the second portion of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound may have another attachedupwardly-sloping lip. In additional examples of implementations of thesystem: the palm of the person's hand may include another portion beingnearest to the person's thumb digit, and the palm contact surface may beshaped for guiding the another portion of the palm away from the palmcontact surface simultaneously while receiving the portion of the palmof the person's hand into contact at the position on the palm contactsurface. In other examples of implementations of the system: the palm ofthe person's hand may include an additional portion being nearest to theone non-thumb digit or to the plurality of the non-thumb digits of theperson's hand, and the palm contact surface may be shaped for guidingthe additional portion of the palm away from the palm contact surfacesimultaneously while receiving the portion of the palm of the person'shand into contact at the position on the palm contact surface.

In some examples of implementations of the system, the palm contactsurface of the palm rest may have a perimeter, and the position may bedefined by the perimeter of the palm contact surface.

In some examples of implementations of the system, the palm rest may beadjustably mounted on the top side of the body of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device.

In further examples of implementations of the system, the palm rest maybe pivotally mounted over the top side of the body. In additionalexamples of implementations of the system: the hand-controllablesignal-generating device may include a joystick on the top side of thebody; and the palm rest may be mounted on the joystick. In otherexamples of implementations of the system: the joystick may include anangular-displacement detector; the angular-displacement detector may beconfigured for generating angular-displacement signals that arerepresentative of detected angular displacements of the palm rest overthe top side of the body; and the signal transmitter may be configuredfor communicating the angular-displacement signals to the externalelectronic processor. In some examples of implementations of the system:the joystick may include a compressive force detector; and thecompressive force detector may be configured for generating compressiveforce signals that are representative of detected compressive forcesapplied by the palm of the person's hand to the palm rest towards thetop side of the body; and the signal transmitter may be configured forcommunicating the compressive force signals to the external electronicprocessor.

In further examples of implementations, the system may include arotational-displacement detector being configured for generatingrotational-displacement signals that are representative of detectedrotational displacements of the body in the two-dimensional directionsover the working surface, and the signal transmitter may be configuredfor communicating the rotational-displacement signals to the externalelectronic processor. In additional examples of implementations of thesystem, the rotational-displacement detector may include a gyroscope,accelerometer, or compass.

In other examples of implementations of the system: thebiaxial-displacement detector may be located at the bottom side of thebody; and the system may include a rotational-displacement detectorbeing configured for generating rotational-displacement signals that arerepresentative of detected rotational displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions over the working surface; and the signaltransmitter may be configured for communicating therotational-displacement signals to the external electronic processor. Insome examples of implementations of the system: therotational-displacement detector may include an additionalbiaxial-displacement detector that may be spaced apart from thebiaxial-displacement detector.

In further examples of implementations, the system may include anotherdigit-controllable signal-generating device for generating additionaldigit signals; and another hand-controllable signal-generating device.The another hand-controllable signal-generating device may include:another body having another top side, and having another bottom sidespaced apart by another distance from and facing away from the anothertop side, the another bottom side being configured for facilitatingdisplacements of the another body over the working surface intwo-dimensional directions with the another bottom side facing theworking surface, the another body having another biaxial-displacementdetector that may be configured for generating additional biaxialdisplacement signals that are representative of detected displacementsof the another body in the two-dimensional directions over the workingsurface. The system may further include another signal transmitterconfigured for communicating the additional biaxial displacement signalsand the additional digit signals to the external electronic processor.Further, the another body may have another palm rest on the another topside, and the another palm rest may include another palm contactsurface, the another palm contact surface having another contour forreceiving a further portion of another palm of a person's another handinto contact at another position on the another palm contact surface. Inaddition, the contour of the another palm contact surface may beconfigured for facilitating control of the another digit-controllablesignal-generating device for generating digit signals by the person'sanother hand simultaneously with control of displacements of the anotherbody in the two-dimensional directions by the further portion of theanother palm being at the another position on the another palm contactsurface.

In additional examples of implementations of the system, the anotherdigit-controllable signal-generating device may include another keyboardhaving another plurality of digit-controllable keys.

In other examples of implementations of the system, the anotherdigit-controllable signal-generating device may include anotherthumb-controllable joystick.

In some examples of implementations, the system may include asensitivity modulator for the biaxial-displacement detector.

In an example of an additional implementation, a process is providedthat includes providing a hand-controllable signal-generating deviceincluding a body having a top side, a palm rest being on the top side,the palm rest including a palm contact surface, the palm contact surfacehaving a contour for receiving a portion of a palm of a person's handinto contact at a position on the palm contact surface, the body havinga bottom side spaced apart by a distance from and facing away from thetop side, the bottom side being configured for facilitatingdisplacements of the body over a working surface in two-dimensionaldirections, the body having a biaxial-displacement detector that isconfigured for generating biaxial displacement signals that arerepresentative of detected displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions over the working surface; and providing asignal transmitter configured for communicating the biaxial displacementsignals to an external electronic processor. This example of a processfurther includes facilitating the generation, by a portion of a palm ofa person's hand being in contact at the position on the palm contactsurface, of biaxial displacement signals for communication to theexternal electronic processor, by facilitating control by the portion ofthe palm of the displacements of the body in the two-dimensionaldirections over the working surface.

In some examples of implementations, this process may further include:placing the portion of the palm of the person's hand in contact at theposition on the palm contact surface; causing the portion of the palm togenerate biaxial displacement signals by controlling displacements ofthe body in the two-dimensional directions; and causing the signaltransmitter to communicate the biaxial displacement signals to theexternal electronic processor.

In further examples of implementations of this process, the facilitatingthe generation of the biaxial displacement signals may includefacilitating control by the portion of the palm of the displacements ofthe body in the two-dimensional directions from the position on the palmcontact surface without a one digit or any of a plurality of digits ofthe person's hand being in contact with the hand-controllablesignal-generating device.

In additional examples of implementations of this process, thefacilitating the generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxialdisplacement signals may include configuring the palm contact surfacefor guiding a one digit or a plurality of digits of the person's handaway from the palm contact surface simultaneously while receiving theportion of the palm into contact at the position on the palm contactsurface.

In further examples of implementations of this process, the facilitatingthe generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxial displacementsignals may include configuring the palm contact surface for positioninga one digit or a plurality of digits of the person's hand as beingsubstantially unencumbered by the palm contact surface when the portionof the palm is in contact at the position on the palm contact surface.

In other examples of implementations of this process, the facilitatingthe generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxial displacementsignals may include configuring the palm contact surface for receivingthe portion of the palm into contact at a substantially-fixed positionon the palm contact surface.

In some examples of implementations of this process, the facilitatingthe generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxial displacementsignals may include facilitating generation of the biaxial-displacementsignals as being cursor control signals.

In further examples of implementations of this process, the facilitatingthe generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxial displacementsignals may include facilitating generation of the biaxial-displacementsignals as being keyboard control signals or joystick control signals.

In additional examples of implementations: the providing thehand-controllable signal-generating device may include providing thepalm rest as being mounted on a joystick that may include anangular-displacement detector; and the process may include facilitatingthe generation, by the portion of the palm being in contact at theposition on the palm contact surface for communication to the externalelectronic processor, of angular displacement signals that arerepresentative of detected angular displacements of the palm rest overthe top side of the body.

In other examples of implementations of this process: the providing thehand-controllable signal-generating device may include providing thejoystick as including a compressive force detector; and the process mayinclude facilitating the generation, by the portion of the palm being incontact at the position on the palm contact surface for communication tothe external electronic processor, of compressive force signals that arerepresentative of detected compressive forces applied by the palm to thepalm rest towards the top side of the body.

In some examples of implementations of this process: the providing thehand-controllable signal-generating device may include providing arotational-displacement detector; and the process may includefacilitating the generation, by the portion of the palm being in contactat the position on the palm contact surface for communication to theexternal electronic processor, of rotational displacement signals thatare representative of detected rotational displacements of the body inthe two-dimensional directions over the working surface.

In an example of a further implementation, a process is provided thatincludes: providing a digit-controllable signal-generating device forgenerating digit signals; and providing a hand-controllablesignal-generating device. In this example of a process, providing thehand-controllable signal-generating device includes providing: a bodyhaving a top side, a palm rest being on the top side, the palm restincluding a palm contact surface, the palm contact surface having acontour for receiving a portion of a palm of a person's hand intocontact at a position on the palm contact surface, the body having abottom side spaced apart by a distance from and facing away from the topside, the bottom side being configured for facilitating displacements ofthe body over a working surface in two-dimensional directions, the bodyhaving a biaxial-displacement detector that is configured for generatingbiaxial displacement signals that are representative of detecteddisplacements of the body in the two-dimensional directions over theworking surface. This example of a process additionally includesproviding a signal transmitter configured for communicating the biaxialdisplacement signals and the digit signals to an external electronicprocessor. This example of a process further includes facilitating thegeneration, by a portion of a palm of a person's hand being in contactat the position on the palm contact surface, of biaxial displacementsignals for communication to the external electronic processor, byfacilitating control by the portion of the palm of the displacements ofthe body in the two-dimensional directions over the working surface; andfacilitating the generation of digit signals by control of thedigit-controllable signal-generating device by the person's hand.

In some examples of implementations, this process may further include:placing the portion of the palm of the person's hand in contact at theposition on the palm contact surface; causing the portion of the palm togenerate biaxial displacement signals by controlling displacements ofthe body in the two-dimensional directions, and causing the person'shand to generate digit signals by control of the digit-controllablesignal-generating device; and causing the signal transmitter tocommunicate the biaxial displacement signals and the digit signals tothe external electronic processor.

In further examples of implementations of this process: the providingthe digit-controllable signal-generating device may include providing akeyboard having a plurality of digit-controllable keys; and thefacilitating the generation of the biaxial displacement signals and ofthe digit signals may include facilitating the simultaneous generationof the biaxial displacement signals by the portion of the palm, and ofthe digit signals by the person's hand.

In additional examples of implementations of this process: the providingthe digit-controllable signal-generating device may include providing athumb-controllable joystick; and the facilitating the generation of thebiaxial displacement signals and of the digit signals may includefacilitating the simultaneous generation of the biaxial displacementsignals by the portion of the palm, and of the digit signals by theperson's hand.

In other examples of implementations of this process, the facilitatingthe generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxial displacementsignals may include facilitating control by the portion of the palm ofthe displacements of the body in the two-dimensional directions from theposition on the palm contact surface, without a one digit or any of aplurality of digits of the person's hand being in contact with thehand-controllable signal-generating device.

In some examples of implementations of this process, the facilitatingthe generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxial displacementsignals may include configuring the palm contact surface for guiding aone digit or a plurality of digits of the person's hand away from thepalm contact surface simultaneously while receiving the portion of thepalm into contact at the position on the palm contact surface.

In additional examples of implementations of this process, thefacilitating the generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxialdisplacement signals may include configuring the palm contact surfacefor positioning a one digit or a plurality of digits of the person'shand as being substantially unencumbered by the palm contact surfacewhen the portion of the palm is in contact at the position on the palmcontact surface.

In other examples of implementations of this process, the facilitatingthe generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxial displacementsignals may include configuring the palm contact surface for receivingthe portion of the palm into contact at a substantially-fixed positionon the palm contact surface.

In some examples of implementations of this process, the facilitatingthe generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxial displacementsignals may include facilitating the generation of thebiaxial-displacement signals as being cursor control signals.

In further examples of implementations of this process, the facilitatingthe generation by the portion of the palm of the biaxial displacementsignals may include facilitating the generation of thebiaxial-displacement signals as being keyboard control signals orjoystick control signals.

In additional examples of implementations of this process: the providingthe hand-controllable signal-generating device may include providing thepalm rest as being mounted on a joystick that may include anangular-displacement detector; and the process may include facilitatingthe generation, by the portion of the palm being in contact at theposition on the palm contact surface for communication to the externalelectronic processor, of angular displacement signals that arerepresentative of detected angular displacements of the palm rest overthe top side of the body. In other examples of implementations of thisprocess: the providing the hand-controllable signal-generating devicemay include providing the joystick as including a compressive forcedetector; and the process may include facilitating the generation, bythe portion of the palm being in contact at the position on the palmcontact surface for communication to the external electronic processor,of compressive force signals that are representative of detectedcompressive forces applied by the palm to the palm rest towards the topside of the body.

In other examples of implementations of this process: the providing thehand-controllable signal-generating device may include providing arotational-displacement detector; and the process may includefacilitating the generation, by the portion of the palm being in contactat the position on the palm contact surface for communication to theexternal electronic processor, of rotational displacement signals thatare representative of detected rotational displacements of the body inthe two-dimensional directions.

In some examples of implementations, this process may include: providinganother digit-controllable signal-generating device for generatingadditional digit signals; and providing another hand-controllablesignal-generating device. In these example of the process, providing theanother hand-controllable signal-generating device may include providinganother body having another top side, another palm rest being on theanother top side, the another palm rest including another palm contactsurface, the another palm contact surface having another contour forreceiving a further portion of another palm of a person's another handinto contact at another position on the another palm contact surface,the another body having another bottom side spaced apart by anotherdistance from and facing away from the another top side, the anotherbottom side being configured for facilitating additional displacementsof the another body over the working surface in the two-dimensionaldirections, the another body having another biaxial-displacementdetector that is configured for generating additional biaxialdisplacement signals that are representative of detected additionaldisplacements of the another body in the two-dimensional directions overthe working surface. In these examples, the process may further includeproviding another signal transmitter configured for communicating theadditional biaxial displacement signals and the additional digit signalsto the external electronic processor. These examples of the process mayadditionally include: facilitating the generation, by the furtherportion of another palm of a person's another hand being in contact atthe another position on the another palm contact surface, of additionalbiaxial displacement signals for communication to the externalelectronic processor, by facilitating control by the further portion ofthe another palm of the additional displacements of the another body inthe two-dimensional directions over the working surface; andfacilitating the generation of additional digit signals by control ofthe another digit-controllable signal-generating device by the person'sanother hand.

Other devices, systems, processes, features and advantages of theinvention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the artupon examination of the following figures and detailed description. Itis intended that all such additional devices, systems, processes,features and advantages be included within this description, be withinthe scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingfigures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of theinvention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 is a perspective back side view showing an example of animplementation of an apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a left side view, taken in the direction of line 2, of theexample of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a right side view, taken in the direction of line 3, of theexample of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front side view, taken in the direction of line 4 as shownin FIG. 2, of the example of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom side view of the example of the apparatus as shown inFIG. 1 taken in the direction of line 5, further showing a person's handtogether with the example of the apparatus.

FIG. 6 is view of the person's hand as shown in FIG. 5, together with abottom side and a hand rest of the example of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a top side view, taken in the direction of line 7, of theexample of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is another top side view of the example of the apparatus as shownin FIG. 1 taken in the direction of line 7, further showing a person'shand together with the example of the apparatus.

FIG. 9 is a perspective side view showing an example of animplementation of a system including a hand-controllablesignal-generating device.

FIG. 10 is a left side view, taken in the direction of line 10, of theexample of the system as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a right side view, taken in the direction of line 11, of theexample of the system as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a front side view, taken in the direction of line 12, of theexample of the system as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a back side view, taken in the direction of line 13, of theexample of the system as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a bottom side view, taken in the direction of line 14 shownin FIG. 10, of the example of the system as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is another bottom side view, taken in the direction of line 14,showing a person's hand together with the example of the system as shownin FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a view of the person's hand as shown in FIG. 15, togetherwith a bottom side and a hand rest of the example of the system.

FIG. 17 is a top side view, taken in the direction of line 17 as shownin FIG. 9, of the example of the system as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 18 is another top side view of the example of the system as shownin FIG. 9 taken in the direction of line 17, further showing a person'shand together with the example of the system.

FIG. 19 is a top side view of another example of the system shown inFIG. 17, together with another hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice.

FIG. 20 is another top side view of the another example of the system asshown in FIG. 19, further showing two hands in contact with the anotherexample of the system.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an example of an implementation of aprocess.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an example of an implementation ofanother process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various hand-controllable signal-generating devices have been designed.Many such devices exist that are capable of being controlled by aperson's hand to generate a signal for use, e.g., in controlling themovement of an external object or image. However, there are numerousend-use applications in which facilitating control by the same hand ofdevice(s) for generating multiple signals would be useful. As anexample, a person may need to enter textual data or other commandssimultaneously while controlling such movement of an external object orimage. As another example, a person may need to generate signals forsimultaneously controlling the movements of multiple objects or images.Further, for example, a person may need to simultaneously generatesignals for controlling multiple degrees of movement of an externalobject or image, e.g., six degrees of three-dimensional motion. Asanother example, a person may need to generate signals for controllingthe movements of such an object or image, while simultaneouslycontrolling other aspects of the object or images, or whilesimultaneously controlling other aspects of devices or systems incommunication with the object or with a device displaying the image. Asan example, a person playing an electronic game may need tosimultaneously generate such multiple types of signals. As thecomplexity of the multiple signals to be generated by a person's handincreases, generally so does the difficulty of facilitating retention ofthe person's hand in a suitable position for operating the device. Manyof the existing hand-controllable signal-generating devices demonstrablyfail to facilitate their accurate control by a person's hand throughoutthe generation of such multiple signals. For example, many existinghand-controllable signal-generating devices need to be held by aperson's fingers for movement through two-dimensional directions over aworking surface such as a table top or desk. In that case, the person'sfingers are not free for simultaneously generating other signals, e.g.textual input signals.

Apparatus accordingly is provided herein, including a hand-controllablesignal-generating device that includes: a body having a top side, and abottom side spaced apart by a distance from and facing away from the topside, the bottom side being configured for facilitating displacements ofthe body over a working surface in two-dimensional directions with thebottom side facing the working surface, the body having abiaxial-displacement detector that is configured for generating biaxialdisplacement signals that are representative of detected displacementsof the body in the two-dimensional directions over the working surface.The hand-controllable signal-generating device further includes a signaltransmitter configured for communicating the biaxial displacementsignals to an external electronic processor. The body has a palm rest onthe top side, the palm rest including a palm contact surface having acontour for receiving a portion of a palm of a person's hand intocontact at a position on the palm contact surface. The contour of thepalm contact surface is configured for facilitating control by theportion of the palm of the person's hand, being in contact at theposition on the palm contact surface, of the displacements of the bodyin the two-dimensional directions over the working surface. Systems arealso provided, including a hand-controllable signal-generating device,and a digit-controllable signal-generating device for generating digitsignals. In these systems, the contour of the palm contact surface isconfigured for facilitating control of the digit-controllablesignal-generating device for generating digit signals by the person'shand simultaneously with control of displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions by the portion of the palm being at theposition on the palm contact surface.

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term “hand” [H]means a human hand. Throughout this specification, it is understood thatthe term “digit” [D] means a thumb digit [TD] or another finger of aperson's hand [H]. As examples, a “digit” [D] includes a thumb digit[TD], or a non-thumb digit [NTD]: an index finger, a middle finger, aring finger, or a pinkie finger. For example, a person's hand [H] mayhave the foregoing five digits [D]. Further, for example, a person'shand [H] may have no digits, only one digit [D], or a plurality ofdigits [D]; and the one digit [D] or the plurality of the digits [D] ofthe person's hand [H] may include a thumb digit [TD], and may includeone non-thumb digit [NTD] or a plurality of non-thumb digits [NTD]. Itis also understood throughout this specification that a person's hand[H] may have more than five digits [D] or less than five digits [D], andmay have or not have a thumb digit [TD]. Throughout this specification,it is understood that the term “palm” [P] means that portion of aperson's hand [H] excluding the one digit [D] or all of the plurality ofthe digits [D].

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term “signal”means an electronic signal or an electromagnetic radiation signal.Examples of electromagnetic radiation include visible light, ultravioletlight, and infrared light. Devices, systems and processes that utilizevisible light are also respectively referred to as optical devices,systems and processes. Examples of electromagnetic radiation signalsinclude: visible light signals; ultraviolet light signals; and infraredlight signals. Throughout this specification, it is understood that theterm “signal-generating device” means a device that is configured forthe generation of electronic signals or electromagnetic radiationsignals.

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term“electronic circuit” means a circuit capable of conducting an electronicsignal. Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term“electronic processor” means an electronic circuit capable of processingan electronic signal. As examples, an “electronic processor” may includean integrated circuit, or a microprocessor. Throughout thisspecification, it is understood that the term “microprocessor” means amultipurpose, programmable device that accepts digital data as input,and processes the digital data according to instructions stored in theprogrammable device's memory, and provides results as output.

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term “signaltransmitter” means a transmitter configured for communicating anelectronic signal or an electromagnetic radiation signal. For example, atransmitter configured for communicating an electronic signal mayinclude an electronic circuit. As examples, a transmitter configured forcommunicating an electromagnetic radiation signal may include avisible-, ultraviolet-, or infrared-light emitter.

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term“hand-controllable signal-generating device” means a signal-generatingdevice that can be operated by designated portions of a person's hand[H].

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term“digit-controllable signal-generating device” means a signal-generatingdevice that can be operated by a designated digit [D] or designateddigits [D] of a person's hand [H], for generating digit signals [DS].

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term “workingsurface” [W] means a surface on which a digit- or hand-controllablesignal-generating device may be supported, and over which such a devicemay be moved by a person's hand [H]. As examples, a working surface [W]may include: a table top, a desk top, a ledge, or a tray.

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term“biaxial-displacement” means a movement of a digit- or hand-controllablesignal-generating device in two-dimensional directions [x, y] over aworking surface [W]. Throughout this specification, it is understoodthat the term “biaxial-displacement detector” means a sensor capable ofgenerating electronic- or electromagnetic radiation-signals that arerepresentative of biaxial displacements of a digit- or hand-controllablesignal-generating device over a working surface [W]. As an example, abiaxial-displacement detector may include a visible-, ultraviolet- orinfrared-light emitter and a corresponding light detector, wherein thelight emitter may include, as examples, a laser light emitter or alight-emitting diode (“LED”). In further examples, abiaxial-displacement detector may include an optical ormechanical-track-ball, -scroll-wheel, or -scroll-ball.

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term“angular-displacement detector” means a sensor capable of generatingelectronic- or electromagnetic radiation-signals that are representativeof angular displacements of a hand-operated joystick. As an example, anangular-displacement detector may have two axes of movement, such thatmoving the joystick to the left or right signals movement along the xaxis, and moving the joystick forward or backwards signals movementalong the y axis. As another example, an angular-displacement detectormay have three axes of movement, wherein twisting the joystick to theleft (counter-clockwise) or right (clockwise) signals movement along thez axis. In the another example, the three axes—x, y and z—mayrespectively be analogous to an aircraft's roll, pitch, and yaw. Anangular-displacement detector may include an analog or digital joystick.An analog joystick, for example, may generate a signal indicating anangle measure of the joystick movement in any direction on the [x, y]axes, e.g, using potentiometers. A digital joystick may, for example,generate only an on-off signal for each of four different directions onthe [x, y] axes.

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term“compressive-force detector” means a sensor capable of generatingelectronic- or electromagnetic radiation-signals that are representativeof compressive forces applied to a joystick. As examples, displacementjoysticks with compression-sensitive sensors that may be utilized in thedevices, systems and processes discussed herein are disclosed in theArmstrong U.S. Pat. No. 6,285,356 B1 issued on Sep. 4, 2001 and entitled“Displacement Joystick with Compression-Sensitive Sensors,” the entiretyof which hereby is incorporated herein by reference.

Throughout this specification, it is understood that the term“rotational-displacement detector” means a sensor capable of generatingelectronic- or electromagnetic radiation-signals that are representativeof rotational displacements of a hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice over a working surface [W]. As examples, rotational-displacementdetectors for detecting rotational movements of an object over a workingsurface that may be utilized in the devices, systems and processesdiscussed herein are disclosed in the Gillick U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,481issued on Aug. 29, 1995 and entitled “Multidimensional Hybrid Mouse forComputers,” the entirety of which hereby is incorporated herein byreference.

FIG. 1 is a perspective back side view showing an example of animplementation of an apparatus [100]. FIG. 2 is a left side view, takenin the direction of line 2, of the example of the apparatus [100] asshown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a right side view, taken in the direction ofline 3, of the example of the apparatus [100] as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4is a front side view, taken in the direction of line 4 as shown in FIG.2, of the example of the apparatus [100] as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is abottom side view of the example of the apparatus [100] as shown in FIG.1 taken in the direction of line 5, further showing a person's handtogether with the example of the apparatus [100]. FIG. 6 is view of theperson's hand as shown in FIG. 5, together with a bottom side and a handrest of the example of the apparatus [100]. FIG. 7 is a top side view,taken in the direction of line 7, of the example of the apparatus [100]as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 8 is another top side view of the example ofthe apparatus [100] as shown in FIG. 1 taken in the direction of line 7,further showing a person's hand together with the example of theapparatus [100]. Examples of implementations of systems [900] will besubsequently discussed in connection with FIGS. 9-20. Examples ofimplementations of processes [2100], [2200] will also be subsequentlydiscussed in connection with FIGS. 21-22. It is understood throughoutthis specification that the examples of implementations of the apparatus[100] may be modified as including any of the features or combinationsof features that are disclosed in connection with the systems [900] orany of the features or combinations of features that are disclosed inconnection with either of the processes [2100], [2200]. Accordingly,FIGS. 9-22 and the entireties of the subsequent discussions of thesystems [900] and of the processes [2100], [2200] are herebyincorporated into the following discussion of the examples of theapparatus [100].

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, an example of an apparatus [100] including ahand-controllable signal-generating device [101] is shown, including abody [105] having a top side [110], and having a bottom side [115]spaced apart by a distance from and facing away from the top side [110].The bottom side [115] is configured for facilitating displacements ofthe body [105] over a working surface [W] in two-dimensional directions[x, y] with the bottom side [115] facing the working surface [W]. Thebody [105] has a biaxial-displacement detector [120] that is configuredfor generating biaxial displacement signals [BDS] that arerepresentative of detected displacements of the body [105] in thetwo-dimensional directions [x, y] over the working surface [W]. Theexample of an apparatus [100] further includes a signal transmitter[125] configured for communicating the biaxial displacement signals[BDS], as represented by an arrow [127], to an external electronicprocessor [EP]. The body [105] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [101] has a palm rest [130] on the top side[110]. The palm rest [130] includes a palm contact surface [135] havinga contour for receiving a portion [P1] of a palm [P] of a person's hand[H] into contact at a position [140] on the palm contact surface [135].As further examples, the “contact” by the portion [P1] of the palm [P]at the position [140] may be “substantial contact,” wherein “substantialcontact” means that the palm contact surface [135] may be contoured forreceiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] intocontact with at least about 75% of the surface area of the palm contactsurface [135]. As another example, the position [140] may be defined bythe perimeter of the palm contact surface [135]. The contour of the palmcontact surface [135] of the palm rest [130] is configured forfacilitating control by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person'shand [H], being in contact at the position [140] on the palm contactsurface [135], of the displacements of the body [105] in thetwo-dimensional directions [x, y]. Throughout this specification, it isunderstood that displacement in “two-dimensional directions [x, y]”means displacements over a working surface [W] at least in fourmutually-orthogonal directions, as shown by the examples of fourmutually-orthogonal directions indicated by the arrows [141], [142],[143] and [144] shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 8 further show a person's hand [H] in contact at theposition [140] on the palm contact surface [135] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [101]. As an example, theposition [140] may be defined by the perimeter of the palm contactsurface [135]. In an example, the person's hand [H] may have five digits[D], including a thumb digit [TD] and four non-thumb digits [NTD]. Thepalm contact surface [135] of the palm rest [130] is shaped forreceiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] intocontact at the position [140] on the palm contact surface [135]. Inexamples, the contour of the palm contact surface [135] of the palm rest[130] may be configured for facilitating control by the portion [P1] ofthe palm [P] of the person's hand [H] of the displacements of the body[105] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y] over the working surface[W] from the position [140] without any of the five digits [D] of theperson's hand [H] being in contact with the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [101]. As additional examples, the contour ofthe palm contact surface [135] of the palm rest [130] may be configuredfor guiding the one digit [D] or all of the plurality of the digits [D]of the person's hand [H] away from the palm contact surface [135]simultaneously while receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H] into contact at the position [140] on the palm contactsurface [135]. In further examples, the contour of the palm contactsurface [135] of the palm rest [130] may be configured for positioningthe one digit [D] or all of the plurality of the digits [D] of theperson's hand [H] as being substantially unencumbered by the palmcontact surface [135] when the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H] is in contact at the position [140] on the palmcontact surface [135]. It is understood that the term “substantiallyunencumbered” means that the one digit [D] or all of the plurality ofthe digits [D] of the person's hand [H] can collectively operate thedigit-controllable signal-generating devices schematically representedas shown in FIG. 5 by the boxes [505], [510], to generate digit signals[DS], simultaneously while the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H] is in contact at the position [140] on the palmcontact surface [135].

In an example of operation, a person may place the apparatus [100]including the hand-controllable signal-generating device [101] on aworking surface [W] with the bottom side [115] of the body [105] facingthe working surface [W]. For example, the working surface [W] may be adesk top. The person may then place a portion [P1] of a palm [P] of theperson's hand [H] into contact with the palm contact surface [135] atthe position [140]. Using only the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H], the person may then displace the body [105] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [101] over the workingsurface [W] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y], including theexample directions represented by the arrows [141], [142], [143] and[144]. For example, the person may displace the body [105] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [101] over the workingsurface [W] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y] without any of thedigits [D] of the person's hand [H] making any contact with or applyingany force to the hand-controllable signal-generating device [101]. Thecontour of the palm contact surface [135] of the palm rest [130] isconfigured for facilitating accurate control by the portion [P1] of thepalm [P] of the person's hand [H], being in contact at the position[140] on the palm contact surface [135], of the displacements of thebody [105] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y] over the workingsurface [W]. The biaxial-displacement detector [120] detects thedisplacements of the body [105] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y]over the working surface [W], and generates biaxial displacement signals[BDS] that are representative of the detected biaxial displacements. Asexamples, the signal transmitter [125] may be integral with or otherwisein signal communication with the biaxial-displacement detector [120], asrepresented by the arrow [126]. The signal transmitter [125] of theapparatus [100] communicates the biaxial displacement signals [BDS], asrepresented by the arrow [127], to the external electronic processor[EP]. As an example, the signal transmitter [125] may be integral withthe hand-controllable signal-generating device [101]. As anotherexample, the electronic processor [EP] may include a microprocessor.Further, for example, the signal transmitter [125] may be in wired,wireless, optical, or another form of electromagnetic radiation-basedcommunication with the external electronic processor [EP]. As anotherexample, the external electronic processor [EP] may be in communicationwith a graphical user interface [128], as represented by an arrow [129].Further, for example, the graphical user interface [128] may display acursor [CU]. In that example, the biaxial-displacement detector [120]may be configured for generating the biaxial displacement signals [BDS]as being cursor control signals.

In examples, the palm contact surface [135] of the palm rest [130] maybe shaped for receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person'shand [H] into contact at a position [140] on the palm contact surface[135], wherein the position [140] may be a substantially-fixed positionrelative to the person's hand [H]. It is understood that the term“substantially-fixed position” means a position [140] on the palmcontact surface [135] relative to a person's hand [H] that varies,through a series of ten or more iterations of placing a portion [P1] ofthe palm [P] of the hand [H] on the palm rest [130], by an average ofabout one centimeter or less in any two-dimensional direction [x, y]. Asa further example, the palm contact surface [135] of the palm rest [130]may be shaped for repeatedly receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P]of the person's hand [H] into contact at such a substantially-fixedposition [140] on the palm contact surface [135].

In an example, the body [105] may have an overall box-like shape. Thebody [105] may, for example, have side walls [145], [150], [205] and[305], being sized for spacing apart the top side [110] at a suitabledistance away from the bottom side [115]. In an alternative example, thebody [105] may instead have a frame (not shown) being sized for spacingapart the top side [110] at a suitable distance away from the bottomside [115]. As examples, the top side [110] may be spaced apart from thebottom side [115] by a distance being within a range of between abouttwo centimeters and about ten centimeters. In additional examples, thetop side [110] may be generally flat, as facilitating the mounting ofthe palm rest [130] on the top side [110] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [101]. As a further example (not shown), thetop side [110] may integrally form the palm rest [130]. In furtherexamples (not shown), the side walls [145], [150], [205] and [305] maybe integrally constructed as a unitary rectangular, square, round, orelliptical side wall. Additionally, as examples, the top side [110] andthe bottom side [115] of the hand-controllable signal-generating device[101] may each independently have a perimeter being rectangular, square,round, elliptical, or having another shape. Further, for example, thebottom side [115] may be generally flat, as facilitating displacementsof the body [105] of the hand-controllable signal-generating device[101] over the working surface [W] in two-dimensional directions [x, y].

In examples of the apparatus [100] including the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [101], the biaxial-displacement detector [120]may be located at the bottom side [115] of the body [105]. As anexample, the biaxial-displacement detector [120] may include a visible-,ultraviolet-, or infrared-light emitter/detector. Alternatively, asexamples (not shown), the biaxial-displacement detector [120] mayinclude a light-detecting or mechanical-track-ball, scroll-wheel, orscroll-ball. Further, for example, the biaxial-displacement detector[120] may be configured for generating the biaxial displacement signals[BDS] as being cursor control signals. In that example, the apparatus[100] including the hand-controllable signal-generating device [101] mayfunction as a computer mouse for controlling displacements of a cursor[CU] in two-dimensional directions [x, y] on the graphical userinterface [128]. As examples, a graphical user interface [128] mayinclude a display screen of a desktop-, laptop-, or tablet computer, ora smart-phone, or the like. In further examples, thebiaxial-displacement detector [120] may be configured for generating thebiaxial displacement signals [BDS] as being keyboard control signals orjoystick control signals. In additional examples, thebiaxial-displacement detector [120] may be configured for generating thebiaxial displacement signals [BDS] as being control signals foradditionally or instead causing the movement of non-cursor images on thegraphical user interface [128].

In an example, the palm rest [130] may be adjustably mounted on the topside [110] of the body [105]. As another example of the apparatus [100]including the hand-controllable signal-generating device [101], the palmrest [130] may be mounted on a post [155] over the top side [110] of thebody [105]. Further, for example, the palm rest [130] may be adjustablymounted on the post [155] over the top side [110] of the body [105]. Forexample, a length of the post [155] may be adjustable, so that anelevation as represented by the arrow [405], of the palm rest [130]above the bottom side [115] at a point of attachment [410], mayaccordingly be changed. As further examples, a location of the palm rest[130] over the top side [110] may be adjustable relative to thetwo-dimensional directions [x, y]. In additional examples, the palm rest[130] may be mounted on the top side [110] of the body [105] with thepalm rest [130] being adjustable: side-to-side; or as to tilt anglesrelative to the top side [110] including as examples, pitch, yaw androll.

In examples, and referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the palm contact surface[135] of the palm rest [130] of the apparatus [100] including thehand-controllable signal-generating device [101] may include a mound[705] having a peak [706] surrounded by downwardly-sloping sidesrepresented by a series of concentric circles shown in FIG. 7, thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound [705] including: a first portion[710]; a second portion [715]; a third portion [720]; and a fourthportion [725]. The mound [705] may, for example, have a convex shapeculminating at the peak [706] as shown in FIG. 7; and may have overalldimensions being suitable for being received into a concave palm [P] ofa person's hand [H]. Further, for example, the mound [705] may have aconvex contour as shown in FIG. 7.

In these examples, the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand[H] may include a first part [P1A] that is nearest to a wrist [WR] ofthe person; and the first part [P1A] of the portion [P1] of the palm [P]may be received into contact on the first portion [710] of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound [705] when the portion [P1] of thepalm [P] is at the position [140] on the palm contact surface [135]; andthe first portion [710] of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound[705] may have a first attached upwardly-sloping lip [210].

In additional examples, and referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the palmcontact surface [135] of the palm rest [130] may likewise include themound [705] having the peak [706] surrounded by the downwardly-slopingsides represented by the series of concentric circles shown in FIG. 7,including the first portion [710], the second portion [715], the thirdportion [720], and the fourth portion [725], and in addition: theportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] may include asecond part [P1B] that is farthest from the person's thumb digit [TD];and the second part [P1B] of the portion [P1] of the palm [P] may bereceived into contact on the second portion [715] of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound [705] when the portion [P1] of thepalm [P] is at the position [140] on the palm contact surface [135]; andthe second portion [715] of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound[705] may have a second attached upwardly-sloping lip [160].

In further examples, and referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the palm contactsurface [135] of the palm rest [130] may likewise include the mound[705] having the peak [706] surrounded by the downwardly-sloping sidesrepresented by the series of concentric circles shown in FIG. 7,including the first portion [710], the second portion [715], the thirdportion [720], and the fourth portion [725], and in addition: the palm[P] of the person's hand [H] may include another portion [P2] beingnearest to the thumb digit [TD] of the person's hand [H], and the palmcontact surface [135], including for example the third portion [720] ofthe mound [705], may be shaped for guiding the another portion [P2] ofthe palm [P] away from the palm contact surface [135] simultaneouslywhile receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand[H] into contact at the position [140] on the palm contact surface[135].

In other examples, and referring to FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, the palm contactsurface [135] of the palm rest [130] may likewise include the mound[705] having the peak [706] surrounded by the downwardly-sloping sidesrepresented by the series of concentric circles shown in FIG. 7,including the first portion [710], the second portion [715], the thirdportion [720], and the fourth portion [725], and in addition: the palm[P] of the person's hand [H] may include an additional portion [P3]being nearest to the one non-thumb digit [NTD] or to the plurality ofthe non-thumb digits [NTD] of the person's hand [H], and the palmcontact surface [135], including for example the fourth portion [725] ofthe mound [705], may be shaped for guiding the additional portion [P3]of the palm [P] away from the palm contact surface [135] simultaneouslywhile receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand[H] into contact at the position [140] on the palm contact surface[135].

As a further example, the palm contact surface [135] of the palm rest[130] may likewise include the mound [705] having the peak [706]surrounded by the downwardly-sloping sides represented by the series ofconcentric circles shown in FIG. 7, including the first portion [710],the second portion [715], the third portion [720], and the fourthportion [725], and in addition: the first portion [710] of the mound[705] may have the first attached upwardly-sloping lip [210]; and thesecond portion [715] of the mound [705] may have the second attachedupwardly-sloping lip [160]; and the palm contact surface [135],including for example the third and fourth portions [720], [725] of themound [705], may be shaped for guiding the another portion [P2] and theadditional portion [P3] of the palm [P] away from the palm contactsurface [135] simultaneously while receiving the portion [P1] of thepalm [P] of the person's hand [H] into contact at the position [140] onthe palm contact surface [135]. Further in this example, the firstupwardly-sloping lip [210] and the first portion [710] of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound [705] may collectively define afirst concave trough schematically indicated by a dashed line [730].Additionally in this example, the second upwardly-sloping lip [160] andthe second portion [715] of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound[705] may together define a second concave trough schematicallyindicated by a dashed line [735]. In an example, the concave contour ofthe first trough [730] may be shaped for receiving the first part [P1A]of the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] when theportion [P1] of the palm [P] is at the position [140] on the palmcontact surface [135]. Further, for example, the concave contour of thesecond trough [735] may be shaped for receiving the second part [P1B] ofthe portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] when theportion [P1] of the palm [P] is at the position [140] on the palmcontact surface [135]. As a further example, the contour of the palmcontact surface [135] may, by receiving the first part [P1A] of the palm[P] in the first trough [730] and by receiving the second part [P1B] ofthe palm [P] in the second trough [735], facilitate control of rotationsof the body [105] over the working surface [W] in the two-dimensionaldirections [x, y] by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person'shand [H].

In further examples, the position [140] may be defined by the perimeterof the palm contact surface [135]; and the palm contact surface [135]may be contoured for receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H] into contact at the perimeter [140] of the palmcontact surface [135]. The contour of the palm contact surface [135] ofthe palm rest [130] may be configured for facilitating control by theportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H], being in contactat the perimeter [140] of the palm contact surface [135], of thedisplacements of the body [105] in the two-dimensional directions [x,y]. In additional examples, the position [140], as being defined by theperimeter [140] of the palm contact surface [135], may be asubstantially-fixed position relative to the portion [P1] of a palm [P]of a hand [H]. As further examples, the “contact” by the portion [P1] ofthe palm [P] at the perimeter [140] may be “substantial contact,”wherein “substantial contact” means that the palm contact surface [135]may be contoured for receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H] into contact with at least about 75% of the length ofthe perimeter [140].

As another example, the palm rest [130] of the apparatus [100] includingthe hand-controllable signal-generating device [101] may be pivotallymounted over the top side [110] of the body [105]. For example, the post[155] may be a joystick being mounted on the top side [110] of the body[105], on which the palm rest [130] may be mounted. Further, forexample, the joystick [155] may include an angular-displacement detector[215]. As examples, the angular-displacement detector [215] may beconfigured for generating angular-displacement signals [AS] that arerepresentative of detected angular displacements of the palm rest [130]over the top side [110] of the body [105]; and the signal transmitter[125] may be configured for communicating, as represented by the arrow[127], the angular-displacement signals [AS] to the external electronicprocessor [EP]. As examples, the angular-displacement signals [AS] maydifferentiate between angular displacements of the joystick [155] asbeing pitch-, yaw-, or roll-movements relative to the body [105], or asbeing twisting movements of the joystick [155] around the top side[110]. In additional examples, the joystick [155] may include acompressive force detector [415]. As examples, the compressive forcedetector [415] may be configured for generating compressive forcesignals [FS] that are representative of detected compressive forcesapplied by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] tothe palm rest [130] in the direction of the downward portion of thearrow [405] towards the top side [110] of the body [105]; and the signaltransmitter [125] may be configured for communicating, as represented bythe arrow [127], the compressive force signals [FS] to the externalelectronic processor [EP].

In a further example, the apparatus [100] including thehand-controllable signal-generating device [101] may have arotational-displacement detector [515] being configured for generatingrotational displacement signals [RS] that are representative of detectedrotational displacements of the body [105] in the two-dimensionaldirections [x, y] over the working surface [W]; and the signaltransmitter [125] may be configured for communicating, as represented bythe arrow [127], the rotational displacement signals [RS] to theexternal electronic processor [EP]. In examples, therotational-displacement detector [515] may include a gyroscope,accelerometer, or compass. As an additional example, thebiaxial-displacement detector [120] may be located at the bottom side[115] of the body [105]; and the hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice [101] may include an additional biaxial-displacement detector[520] that is located at the bottom side [115] of the body [105]. Inthat additional example, the additional biaxial-displacement detector[520] may be spaced apart from the biaxial-displacement detector [120]by a distance being suitable for facilitating the functioning of thebiaxial-displacement detectors [120], [520] together as arotational-displacement detector. It is understood throughout thisspecification that the signal transmitter [125] may be furtherconfigured for communicating, in any combination or sequence to theexternal electronic processor [EP] as represented by the arrow [127]:the biaxial displacement signals [BDS]; and the angular-displacementsignals [AS]; and the compressive force signals [FS]; and the rotationaldisplacement signals [RS]. It is further understood throughout thisspecification that each of the signals [BDS], [AS], [FS] and [RS] thatmay be generated by hand-controlled operation of the system [100] may beutilized for controlling an external display such as a cursor [CU] orfor controlling an object, which may be, as an example, a motorizedmoveable object such as a vehicle.

FIG. 9 is a perspective side view showing an example of animplementation of a system [900] including a hand-controllablesignal-generating device. FIG. 10 is a left side view, taken in thedirection of line 10, of the example of the system [900] as shown inFIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a right side view, taken in the direction of line 11,of the example of the system [900] as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 12 is afront side view, taken in the direction of line 12, of the example ofthe system [900] as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 13 is a back side view, takenin the direction of line 13, of the example of the system [900] as shownin FIG. 9. FIG. 14 is a bottom side view, taken in the direction of line14 shown in FIG. 10, of the example of the system [900] as shown in FIG.9. FIG. 15 is another bottom side view, taken in the direction of line14, showing a person's hand together with the example of the system[900] as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 16 is a view of the person's hand asshown in FIG. 15, together with a bottom side and a hand rest of theexample of the system [900]. FIG. 17 is a top side view, taken in thedirection of line 17 as shown in FIG. 9, of the example of the system[900] as shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 18 is another top side view of theexample of the system [900] as shown in FIG. 9 taken in the direction ofline 17, further showing a person's hand together with the example ofthe system [900]. FIG. 19 is a top side view of another example of thesystem [900] shown in FIG. 17, together with another hand-controllablesignal-generating device. FIG. 20 is another top side view of theanother example of the system [900] as shown in FIG. 19, further showingtwo hands [H] in contact with the another example of the system [900].Examples of implementations of apparatus [100] were previously discussedin connection with FIGS. 1-8. Examples of implementations of processes[2100], [2200] are subsequently discussed in connection with FIGS.21-22. It is understood throughout this specification that the examplesof implementations of the systems [900] may be modified as including anyof the features or combinations of features that are disclosed inconnection with the apparatus [100], or any of the features orcombinations of features that are disclosed in connection with either ofthe processes [2100], [2200]. Accordingly, FIGS. 1-8 and 21-22, and theentirety of the earlier discussion of the apparatus [100], and theentireties of the subsequent discussions of the processes [2100],[2200], are hereby incorporated into the following discussion of theexamples of the system [900].

Referring to FIGS. 9-18, an example of a system [900] is shown. Thesystem [900] includes a hand-controllable signal-generating device[901]. The example of a system [900] further has a digit-controllablesignal-generating device for generating digit signals [DS], which mayinclude, as examples: a digit-controllable signal-generating device[902]; or a digit-controllable signal-generating device [903]; or bothof the digit-controllable signal-generating devices [902] and [903]. Inthe example of a system [900], the hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice [901] includes a body [905] having a top side [910], and having abottom side [1005] spaced apart by a distance from and facing away fromthe top side [910]. The bottom side [1005] is configured forfacilitating displacements of the body [905] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901] over a working surface [W] intwo-dimensional directions [x, y] with the bottom side [1005] facing theworking surface [W]. The body [905] has a biaxial-displacement detector[1010] that is configured for generating biaxial displacement signals[BDS] that are representative of detected displacements of the body[905] of the hand-controllable signal-generating device [901] in thetwo-dimensional directions [x, y] over the working surface [W]. Theexample of a system [900] further includes a signal transmitter [1015]configured for communicating the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] andthe digit signals [DS], as represented by an arrow [1020], to anexternal electronic processor [EP]. As an example, the signaltransmitter [1015] may be integral with the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901]. The body [905] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901] has a palm rest [930] on the top side[910]. The palm rest [930] includes a palm contact surface [935] havinga contour for receiving a portion [P1] of a palm [P] of a person's hand[H] into contact at a position [940] on the palm contact surface [935].As further examples, the “contact” by the portion [P1] of the palm [P]at the position [940] may be “substantial contact,” wherein “substantialcontact” means that the palm contact surface [935] may be contoured forreceiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] intocontact with at least about 75% of the surface area of the palm contactsurface [935]. As another example, the position [940] may be defined bythe perimeter of the palm contact surface [935]. The contour of the palmcontact surface [935] of the palm rest [930] is configured forfacilitating control of the examples of the digit-controllablesignal-generating device(s) [902], [903] for generating the digitsignals [DS] by the person's hand [H] simultaneously with control ofdisplacements of the body [905] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y]by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] being incontact at the position [940] on the palm contact surface [935]. Asexamples, the contour of the palm contact surface [935] of the palm rest[930] may be configured for facilitating simultaneous control: (a) bythe person's hand [H] of the examples of the digit-controllablesignal-generating device(s) [902], [903] and (b) by the portion [P1] ofthe palm [P] of the person's hand [H] of displacements of the body [905]over the working surface [W], in the examples of four mutuallyorthogonal directions indicated by the arrows [941], [942], [943] and[944].

In an example, the system [900] may include a digit-controllablesignal-generating device [902] that includes a keyboard [945] having aplurality of digit-controllable keys [946] for generating keyboardcontrol signals. Further, as example, the plurality of thedigit-controllable keys [946] may be arranged in a plurality of rows,such as the rows that are schematically indicated by arrows [947],[948]. As examples, the digit-controllable keys [946] may have functionsthat are pre-programmed or are user-programmable; and may collectivelyform part or all of a standard keyboard array, such as a QWERTY orDVORAK keyboard. As an additional example, the plurality of the rows[947], [948] of the digit-controllable keys [946] may be arranged in aconcave arc as represented by an arrow [1105]. The arrangement of therows [947], [948] of the digit-controllable keys [946] in the concavearc [1105] may be configured, for example, as placing each one of theplurality of the digit-controllable keys [946] in a position suitablefor being controlled by the one digit [D] or by a one of the pluralityof the digits [D] of the person's hand [H] simultaneously with theportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] being in contactat the position [940] on the palm contact surface [935]. In anotherexample, the system [900] may have another digit-controllablesignal-generating device [903] that includes a thumb-controllablejoystick [950] for generating joystick control signals. Further, forexample, the system [900] may include, as digit-controllablesignal-generating device(s), one or a plurality of digit-controllablekey(s) [952], [954], [956] for generating key control signals, which maybe located adjacent to the thumb-controllable joystick [950]. In anadditional example, the system [900] may include, in combination: adigit-controllable signal-generating device [902] that includes akeyboard [945] having a plurality of digit-controllable keys [946]; andalso a digit-controllable signal-generating device [903] that includes athumb-controllable joystick [950]; and also one or a plurality ofdigit-controllable key(s) [952], [954], [956], which may for example belocated adjacent to the thumb-controllable joystick [950]. It isunderstood throughout this specification that the system [900] mayinclude one or a plurality of digit-controllable signal-generatingdevices, of which each of the digit-controllable signal-generatingdevices [902], [903], [952], [954], and [956] shown in FIGS. 9-20 is anexample. Further, the one or plurality of the digit-controllablesignal-generating devices as included in the system [900] may eachindependently be selected as having, for example: a keyboard [945]including a plurality of digit-controllable keys [946]; athumb-controllable joystick [950]; a digit-controllable key [952],[954], [956]; or (not shown), another type of digit-controllablesignal-generating device, examples of which include a touch-screen, atrack ball, a scroll-wheel, or a scroll-ball. In other examples (notshown), the system [900] may include one or a plurality ofdigit-controllable signal-generating device(s) [902], [903], [952],[954], and [956], each of which independently may be located at aposition in the system [900] relative to the palm rest [930] beingdifferent than its relative position in the example of a system [900] asshown in FIGS. 9-20. In such other examples of the system [900], each ofthese different positions may be configured as being suitable forfacilitating simultaneous control: (a) by the person's hand [H] of thedigit-controllable signal-generating device(s) [902], [903], [952],[954], and [956]; and (b) by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H], in contact at the position [940] on the palm contactsurface [935], of displacements of the body [905] in the two-dimensionaldirections [x, y] over the working surface [W].

FIGS. 15, 16, 18 and 20 further show a person's hand [H] in contact atthe position [940] on the palm contact surface [935] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [901] of the example of asystem [900]. As an example, the position [940] may be defined by theperimeter of the palm contact surface [935]. In an example, the person'shand [H] may have five digits [D], including a thumb digit [TD] and fournon-thumb digits [NTD]. In examples, the contour of the palm contactsurface [935] of the palm rest [930] may be configured for facilitatingcontrol by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] ofthe displacements of the system [900] in the two-dimensional directions[x, y] over the working surface [W] from the position [940], without theone digit [D] or any of the plurality of the digits [D] of the person'shand [H] being in contact with the hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice [901]. As additional examples, the contour of the palm contactsurface [935] of the palm rest [930] may be configured for guiding theone digit [D] or all of the plurality of the digits [D] of the person'shand [H] away from the palm contact surface [935] simultaneously whilereceiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] intocontact at the position [940] on the palm contact surface [935]. In afurther example as earlier discussed, the system [900] may include, asshown in FIGS. 9-20: the digit-controllable signal-generating device[902] that includes the keyboard [945] having the plurality ofdigit-controllable keys [946]; and the digit-controllablesignal-generating device [903] that includes the thumb-controllablejoystick [950] and that further may include the plurality ofdigit-controllable key(s) [952], [954] [956] being located adjacent tothe thumb-controllable joystick [950]. In that further example, thecontour of the palm contact surface [935] of the palm rest [930] may beconfigured for positioning the one digit [D] or all of the plurality ofthe digits [D] of the person's hand [H] as being substantiallyunencumbered by the palm contact surface [935] when the portion [P1] ofthe palm [P] of the person's hand [H] is in contact at the position[940] on the palm contact surface [935]. As earlier discussed, the term“substantially unencumbered” means that the one digit [D] or all of theplurality of the digits [D] of the person's hand [H], for example fivedigits [D], can collectively operate the digit-controllablesignal-generating devices [902], [903], [952], [954] [956]simultaneously while the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person'shand [H] is in contact at the position [940] on the palm contact surface[935].

In an example of operation, a person may place the system [900] on aworking surface [W] with the bottom side [1005] of the body [905] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [901] facing the workingsurface [W]. For example, the working surface [W] may be a desk top. Theperson may then place a portion [P1] of a palm [P] of the person's hand[H] into contact with the palm contact surface [935] at the position[940]. Using only the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand[H], the person may then displace the system [900] over the workingsurface [W] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y], including theexamples of such directions represented by the arrows [941], [942],[943], and [944]. In addition, for example, the digit-controllablesignal-generating device(s) [902], [903] may be positioned relative tothe palm rest [930] so that the digit-controllable signal-generatingdevice(s) [902], [903] may be controlled by the one digit [D] or by aone of the plurality of the digits [D] of the person's hand [H] forgenerating digit signals [DS] simultaneously with generating biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H] being in contact at the position [940] on the palmcontact surface [935]. The contour of the palm contact surface [935] ofthe palm rest [930] is configured for facilitating accurate control bythe portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H], being incontact at the position [940] on the palm contact surface [935], of thedisplacements of the system [900] in the two-dimensional directions [x,y] over the working surface [W]. In an example, the shape of the palmcontact surface [935] of the palm rest [930] may facilitate displacementof the system [900] over the working surface [W] in the two-dimensionaldirections [x, y] without the one digit [D] or any of the plurality ofthe digits [D] of the person's hand [H] making any contact with orapplying any force to the hand-controllable signal-generating device[901]. Further, for example, the shape of the palm contact surface [935]of the palm rest [930] may facilitate displacement of the system [900]by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] over theworking surface [W] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y] without theone digit [D] or any of the plurality of the digits [D] of the person'shand [H] making any contact with or applying any force to the system[900]. The biaxial-displacement detector [1010] detects thedisplacements of the system [900] in the two-dimensional directions [x,y] over the working surface [W], and generates biaxial displacementsignals [BDS] that are representative of the detected biaxialdisplacements. The signal transmitter [1015] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901] is in communication with thebiaxial-displacement detector [1010] in the same manner as earlierdiscussed regarding the biaxial-displacement detector [120] and thesignal transmitter [125] in the example of a device [100]. The signaltransmitter [1015] communicates, as represented by the arrow [1020], thebiaxial displacement signals [BDS] and the digit signals [DS] to anexternal electronic processor [EP]. As an example, the electronicprocessor [EP] may include a microprocessor. For example, the signaltransmitter [1015] may be integral with or otherwise in signalcommunication with the biaxial-displacement detector [1010]. Further,for example, the signal transmitter [1015] may be in wired, wireless,optical, or another form of electromagnetic radiation-basedcommunication with the external electronic processor [EP]. As anotherexample, the external electronic processor [EP] may include or be incommunication with a graphical user interface [1025]. Further, forexample, the graphical user interface [1025] may display a cursor [CU].In that example, the biaxial-displacement detector [1010] may beconfigured for generating the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] asbeing cursor control signals.

In examples, the palm contact surface [935] of the palm rest [930] maybe shaped for receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person'shand [H] into contact at a position [940] on the palm contact surface[935], wherein the position [940] may be a substantially-fixed positionrelative to the person's hand [H]. Likewise as earlier discussed, it isunderstood that the term “substantially-fixed position” means a position[940] on the palm contact surface [935] relative to a person's hand [H]that varies, through a series of ten or more iterations of placing aportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the hand [H] on the palm rest [930], byan average of about one centimeter or less in any two-dimensionaldirection [x, y]. As a further example, the palm contact surface [935]of the palm rest [930] may be shaped for repeatedly receiving theportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] into contact atsuch a substantially-fixed position [940] on the palm contact surface[935].

In an example, the system [900] may include the digit-controllablesignal-generating device [902] as having a body [957] that includes thekeyboard [945] having the plurality of digit-controllable keys [946].The body [957] may, for example, have side walls [958], [960] beingsized for defining the concave arc [1105] in which the rows [947], [948]of the digit-controllable keys [946] may be arranged. Further, forexample, the body [905] of the hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice [901] may have side walls [964], [966], [968] being sized forpositioning the palm rest [930] relative to the keyboard [945]. Forexample, the side walls [964], [966], [968] may be suitably sized forpositioning the palm rest [930] relative to the keyboard [945] so thateach one of the plurality of the digit-controllable keys [946] can becontrolled by the one digit [D] or by a one of the plurality of thedigits [D] of the person's hand [H] simultaneously with the portion [P1]of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] being in contact at theposition [940] on the palm contact surface [935]. In an alternativeexample, the body [957] may instead have a frame (not shown) being sizedfor defining the concave arc [1105] in which the rows [947], [948] ofthe digit-controllable keys [946] may be arranged. As a furtheralternative example, the body [905] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901] may instead have a frame (not shown)being sized for positioning the palm rest [930] relative to the keyboard[945]. For example, the frame of the body [905] may be suitably sizedfor positioning the palm rest [930] relative to the keyboard [945] sothat each one of the plurality of the digit-controllable keys [946] canbe controlled by the one digit [D] or by a one of the plurality of thedigits [D] of the person's hand [H] simultaneously with the portion [P1]of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] being in contact at theposition [940] on the palm contact surface [935]. In these examples ofthe system [900], the top side [910] may be spaced apart from the bottomside [1005] by a distance, for example, within a range of between aboutfour centimeters and about ten centimeters. In additional examples, thetop side [910] may be generally flat, as facilitating the mounting ofthe palm rest [930] on the top side [910] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901]. As a further example (not shown), thetop side [910] and the palm rest [930] may be integrally constructed.Additionally, for example, the body [957] may have a bottom side [1125]being configured for facilitating displacements of the body [957] overthe working surface [W] in two-dimensional directions [x, y] with thebottom side [1005] facing the working surface [W]. For example, thebottom side [1125] may be generally flat. Further, for example, the body[957] may be constructed integrally with the body [905]. Additionally,for example, the bottom side [1005] may be constructed integrally withthe bottom side [1125].

In an example, the system [900] may include the digit-controllablesignal-generating device [903] as having a body [970] that includes thethumb-controllable joystick [950] and the plurality ofdigit-controllable key(s) [952], [954], [956], [1017]. The body [970]may, for example, have side walls [972], [974] being sized for defininga concave arc [1040] in which the thumb-controllable joystick [950] andthe plurality of digit-controllable key(s) [952], [954], [956], [1017]may be arranged. Further, for example, the body [905] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [901] may have the side walls[964], [966], [968] being sized for positioning the palm rest [930] inthe example of a system [900] relative to the thumb-controllablejoystick [950]. For example, the side walls [964], [966], [968] may besuitably sized for positioning the palm rest [930] so that thethumb-controllable joystick [950] and each one of the plurality ofdigit-controllable key(s) [952], [954], [956] can be controlled by thethumb digit [TD] of the person's hand [H] simultaneously with theportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] being in contactat the position [940] on the palm contact surface [935]. In analternative example, the body [970] may instead have a frame (not shown)being sized for defining the concave arc [1040] in which thethumb-controllable joystick [950] and the plurality ofdigit-controllable key(s) [952], [954], [956], [1017] may be arranged.As a further alternative example, the body [905] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [901] may instead have aframe (not shown) being sized for positioning the palm rest [930]relative to the thumb-controllable joystick [950]. For example, theframe of the body [905] may be suitably sized for positioning the palmrest [930] so that the thumb-controllable joystick [950] and each one ofthe plurality of digit-controllable key(s) [952], [954], [956] can becontrolled by the thumb digit [TD] of the person's hand [H]simultaneously with the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person'shand [H] being in contact at the position [940] on the palm contactsurface [935]. In these examples of the system [900], the top side [910]may be spaced apart from the bottom side [1005] by a distance, forexample, being within a range of between about four centimeters andabout ten centimeters. Additionally, for example, the body [970] mayhave a bottom side [1055] being configured for facilitatingdisplacements of the body [970] over the working surface [W] intwo-dimensional directions [x, y] with the bottom side [1005] facing theworking surface [W]. For example, the bottom side [1055] may begenerally flat. Further, for example, the body [970] may be constructedintegrally with the body [905]. Further, for example, the bottom side[1005] may be constructed integrally with the bottom side [1055].

In a further example where the system [900] may include thedigit-controllable signal-generating devices [902] and [903], the body[957] of the digit-controllable signal-generating device [902] and thebody [970] of the digit-controllable signal-generating device [903] mayboth be constructed as having an integral housing together with the body[905] of the hand-controllable signal-generating device [901]. Further,for example, the bottom side [1125] and the bottom side [1055] may beconstructed integrally together with the bottom side [1005].

In examples of the system [900], the biaxial-displacement detector[1010] may be located at the bottom side [1005] of the body [905] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [901]. As an example, thebiaxial-displacement detector [1010] may include a visible-,ultraviolet-, or infrared-light emitter/detector. Alternatively, asexamples (not shown), the biaxial-displacement detector [1010] mayinclude a light-detecting or mechanical-track-ball, scroll-wheel, orscroll-ball. Further, for example, the biaxial-displacement detector[1010] may be configured for generating the biaxial displacement signals[BDS] as being cursor control signals. In that example, thehand-controllable signal-generating device [901] may function as acomputer mouse for controlling displacements of a cursor [CU] intwo-dimensional directions [x, y] on a graphical user interface [1025].As examples, the graphical user interface [1025] may include a displayscreen of a computer, tablet, smart-phone, or the like. In furtherexamples, the biaxial-displacement detector [1010] may be configured forgenerating the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] as being keyboardcontrol signals or joystick control signals. In additional examples, thebiaxial-displacement detector [1010] may be configured for generatingthe biaxial displacement signals [BDS] as being control signals foradditionally or instead causing the movement of non-cursor images on thegraphical user interface [1025].

In an example, the palm rest [930] may be adjustably mounted on the topside [910] of the body [905] of the hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice [901]. As another example of the system [900], the palm rest[930] may be mounted on a post [1045] over the top side [910] of thebody [905]. Further, for example, the palm rest [930] may be adjustablymounted on the post [1045] over the top side [910] of the body [905] ofthe hand-controllable signal-generating device [901]. For example, alength of the post [1045] may be adjustable, so that an elevation, asrepresented by the arrow [1110], of the palm rest [930] above the bottomside [1005] at a point of attachment [1115], may accordingly be changed.As further examples, a location of the palm rest [930] over the top side[910] of the body [905] may be adjustable relative to thetwo-dimensional directions [x, y]. In these further examples, thelocation in the two-dimensional directions [x, y] of the palm rest [930]relative to the keyboard [945] or relative to the thumb-controllablejoystick [950] may be adjusted for the hand [H] of a particular person.In additional examples, the palm rest [930] may be mounted on the topside [910] of the body [905] with the palm rest [930] being adjustable:side-to-side; or as to tilt angles relative to the top side [910]including, as examples, pitch, yaw and roll.

In examples of the system [900], and referring to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18,the palm contact surface [935] of the palm rest [930] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [901] may include a mound[1705] having a peak [1706] surrounded by downwardly-sloping sidesrepresented by a series of concentric circles shown in FIG. 17, thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound [1705] including: a first portion[1710]; a second portion [1715]; a third portion [1720]; and a fourthportion [1725]. The mound [1705] may, for example, have a convex shapeculminating at the peak [1706] as shown in FIG. 17; and may have overalldimensions being suitable for being received into a concave palm [P] ofa person's hand [H]. Further, for example, the mound [1705] may have aconvex contour as shown in FIG. 17.

In these examples, the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand[H] may include a first part [P1A] that is nearest to a wrist [WR] ofthe person; and the first part [P1A] of the portion [P1] of the palm [P]may be received into contact on the first portion [1710] of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound [1705] when the portion [P1] ofthe palm [P] is at the position [940] on the palm contact surface [935];and the first portion [1710] of the downwardly-sloping sides of themound [1705] may have a first attached upwardly-sloping lip [1730].

In additional examples, and referring to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, the palmcontact surface [935] of the palm rest [930] may likewise include themound [1705] having the peak [1706] surrounded by the downwardly-slopingsides represented by a series of concentric circles shown in FIG. 17,including the first portion [1710], the second portion [1715], the thirdportion [1720], and the fourth portion [1725], and in addition: theportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] may include asecond part [P1B] that is farthest from the person's thumb digit [TD];and the second part [P1B] of the portion [P1] of the palm [P] may bereceived into contact on the second portion [1715] of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound [1705] when the portion [P1] ofthe palm [P] is at the position [940] on the palm contact surface [935];and the second portion [1715] of the downwardly-sloping sides of themound [1705] may have a second attached upwardly-sloping lip [1735].

In further examples, and referring to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, the palmcontact surface [935] of the palm rest [930] may likewise include themound [1705] having the peak [1706] surrounded by the downwardly-slopingsides represented by a series of concentric circles shown in FIG. 17including the first portion [1710], the second portion [1715], the thirdportion [1720], and the fourth portion [1725], and in addition: the palm[P] of the person's hand [H] may include another portion [P2] beingnearest to the thumb digit [TD] of the person's hand [H], and the palmcontact surface [935], including for example the third portion [1720] ofthe mound [1705], may be shaped for guiding the another portion [P2] ofthe palm [P] away from the palm contact surface [935] simultaneouslywhile receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand[H] into contact at the position [940] on the palm contact surface[935].

In other examples, and referring to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, the palmcontact surface [935] of the palm rest [930] may likewise include themound [1705] having the peak [1706] surrounded by the downwardly-slopingsides represented by a series of concentric circles shown in FIG. 17,including the first portion [1710], the second portion [1715], the thirdportion [1720], and the fourth portion [1725], and in addition: the palm[P] of the person's hand [H] may include an additional portion [P3]being nearest to the one non-thumb digit [NTD] or to the plurality ofthe non-thumb digits [NTD] of the person's hand [H], and the palmcontact surface [935], including for example the fourth portion [1725]of the mound [1705], may be shaped for guiding the additional portion[P3] of the palm [P] away from the palm contact surface [935]simultaneously while receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H] into contact at the position [940] on the palm contactsurface [935].

As a further example, the palm contact surface [935] of the palm rest[930] may likewise include the mound [1705] having the peak [1706]surrounded by the downwardly-sloping sides represented by a series ofconcentric circles shown in FIG. 17, including the first portion [1710],the second portion [1715], the third portion [1720], and the fourthportion [1725], and in addition: the first portion [1710] of the mound[1705] may have the first attached upwardly-sloping lip [1730]; and thesecond portion [1715] of the mound [1705] may have the second attachedupwardly-sloping lip [1735]; and the palm contact surface [935],including for example the third and fourth portions [1720], [1725] ofthe mound [1705], may be shaped for guiding the another portion [P2] andthe additional portion [P3] of the palm [P] away from the palm contactsurface [935] simultaneously while receiving the portion [P1] of thepalm [P] of the person's hand [H] into contact at the position [940] onthe palm contact surface [935]. Further in this example, the firstupwardly-sloping lip [1730] and the first portion [1710] of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound [1705] may together define a firstconcave trough schematically indicated by a dashed line [1740].Additionally in this example, the second upwardly-sloping lip [1735] andthe second portion [1715] of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound[1705] may together define a second concave trough schematicallyindicated by a dashed line [1745]. In an example, the concave contour ofthe first trough [1740] may be shaped for receiving the first part [P1A]of the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] when theportion [P1] of the palm [P] is at the position [940] on the palmcontact surface [935]. Further, for example, the concave contour of thesecond trough [1745] may be shaped for receiving the second part [P1B]of the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] when theportion [P1] of the palm [P] is at the position [940] on the palmcontact surface [935]. As a further example, the contour of the palmcontact surface [935] may, by receiving the first part [P1A] of the palm[P] in the first trough [1740] and by receiving the second part [P1B] ofthe palm [P] in the second trough [1745], facilitate control ofrotations of the body [905] over the working surface [W] in thetwo-dimensional directions [x, y] by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] ofthe person's hand [H]. As an additional example, the contour of the palmcontact surface [935] may, by receiving the first part [P1A] of the palm[P] in the first trough [1740] and by receiving the second part [P1B] ofthe palm [P] in the second trough [1745], facilitate control by theportion [P1] of the person's hand [H] of forces generated by operationof the digit-controllable signal generating devices [902], [903] thatmay otherwise tend to cause rotation of the body [905] over the workingsurface [W] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y].

In further examples, the position [940] may be defined by the perimeterof the palm contact surface [935]; and the palm contact surface [935]may be contoured for receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H] into contact at the perimeter [940] of the palmcontact surface [935]. The contour of the palm contact surface [935] ofthe palm rest [930] may be configured for facilitating control by theportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H], being in contactat the perimeter [940] on the palm contact surface [935], of thedisplacements of the body [905] in the two-dimensional directions [x,y]. In additional examples, the position [940], as being defined by theperimeter [940] of the palm contact surface [935], may be asubstantially-fixed position relative to the portion [P1] of a palm [P]of a hand [H]. As further examples, the “contact” by the portion [P1] ofthe palm [P] at the perimeter [940] may be “substantial contact,”wherein “substantial contact” means that the palm contact surface [935]may be contoured for receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of theperson's hand [H] into contact with at least about 75% of the length ofthe perimeter [940].

As another example of the system [900], the palm rest [930] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [901] may be pivotallymounted over the top side [910] of the body [905]. For example, the post[1045] may be a joystick that is mounted on the top side [910] of thebody [905], on which the palm rest [930] may be mounted. Further, forexample, the joystick [1045] may include an angular-displacementdetector [1050]. As examples, the angular-displacement detector [1050]may be configured for generating angular-displacement signals [AS] thatare representative of detected angular displacements of the palm rest[930] over the top side [910] of the body [905] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901]; and the signal transmitter [1015] may beconfigured for communicating, as represented by the arrow [1020], theangular-displacement signals [AS] to the external electronic processor[EP]. As examples, the angular-displacement signals [AS] maydifferentiate between angular displacements of the joystick [1045] asbeing pitch-, yaw-, or roll-movements relative to the body [905], or asbeing twisting movements of the joystick [1045] around the top side[910]. In additional examples, the joystick [1045] may include acompressive force detector [1120]. As examples, the compressive forcedetector [1120] may be configured for generating compressive forcesignals [FS] that are representative of detected compressive forcesapplied by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] tothe palm rest [930] in the direction of the downward portion of thearrow [1110] towards the top side [910] of the body [905]; and thesignal transmitter [1015] may be configured for communicating, asrepresented by the arrow [1020], the compressive force signals [FS] tothe external electronic processor [EP].

In a further example of the system [900], the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901] may include a rotational-displacementdetector [1405] being configured for generating rotational displacementsignals [RS] that are representative of detected rotationaldisplacements of the body [905] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y]over the working surface [W]; and the signal transmitter [1015] may beconfigured for communicating, as represented by the arrow [1020], therotational displacement signals [RS] to the external electronicprocessor [EP]. In examples, the rotational-displacement detector [1405]may include a gyroscope, accelerometer, or compass. As an additionalexample, the biaxial-displacement detector [1010] may be located at thebottom side [1005] of the body [905] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901]; and the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901] may include an additionalbiaxial-displacement detector [1410] that is located at the bottom side[1005] of the body [905] of the hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice [901]. In that additional example, the additionalbiaxial-displacement detector [1410] may be spaced apart from thebiaxial-displacement detector [1010] by a distance being suitable forfacilitating the functioning of the biaxial-displacement detectors[1010], [1410] together as a rotational-displacement detector. Infurther examples (not shown), the biaxial-displacement detector [1010]and the additional biaxial-displacement detector [1410] may eachindependently be located in the body [905], [957], or [970]; and mayeach independently be located at the bottom side [1005], [1125], or[1055]. It is understood throughout this specification that the signaltransmitter [1010] may be further configured for communicating, in anycombination or sequence to the external electronic processor [EP] asrepresented by the arrow [1020]: the digit signals [DS]; and the biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS]; and the angular-displacement signals [AS];and the compressive force signals [FS]; and the rotational displacementsignals [RS]. It is further understood throughout this specificationthat each of the signals [DS], [BDS], [AS], [FS] and [RS] that may begenerated by hand-controlled operation of the system [900] may beutilized for controlling an external display such as a cursor [CU] orfor controlling an object, which may be, as an example, a motorizedmoveable object such as a vehicle.

FIG. 19 is a top side view of another example of the system [900] shownin FIG. 17, including another hand-controllable signal-generating device[1901]. FIG. 20 is another top side view of the another example of thesystem [900] as shown in FIG. 19, further showing two hands in contactwith the another example of the system [900]. Referring to FIG. 19, theanother example of the system [900] may include anotherhand-controllable signal-generating device [1901] being integral with: afurther digit-controllable signal-generating device [1902] forgenerating digit signals [DS]; and an additional digit-controllablesignal-generating device [1903] for generating digit signals [DS]. Inexamples, the further digit-controllable signal-generating device [1902]may include another keyboard [1904] having another plurality ofdigit-controllable keys [1905]; and the additional digit-controllablesignal-generating device [1903] may include another thumb-operablejoystick [1906].

The another hand-controllable signal-generating device [1901] mayinclude a body [1909] being analogous to the body [905], the body [1909]having a top side [1910], and having a bottom side (not shown) beinganalogous to the bottom side [1005] and being spaced apart by a distancefrom and facing away from the top side [1910]. The bottom side of theanother hand-controllable signal-generating device [1901] is configuredfor facilitating displacements of the body [1909] over the workingsurface [W] in two-dimensional directions [x, y] with the bottom sidefacing the working surface [W]. The body [1909] has abiaxial-displacement detector [1912] that is configured for generatingbiaxial displacement signals [BDS] that are representative of detecteddisplacements of the body [1909] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [1901] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y]over the working surface [W]. The hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice [1901] is further integral with a signal transmitter [1913]configured for communicating, as indicated by an arrow [1914], thebiaxial displacement signals [BDS] and the digit signals [DS] to theexternal electronic processor [EP]. In another example, the signaltransmitter [1015] may be configured for communicating biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] and digit signals [DS] to the externalelectronic processor [EP]; and the signal transmitter [1913] may beconfigured for communicating biaxial displacement signals [BDS] anddigit signals [DS] to another external electronic processor (not shown).The body [1909] of the another hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice [1901] has a palm rest [1915] on the top side [1910]. The palmrest [1915] includes a palm contact surface [1916] having a contour forreceiving a portion [P1] of a palm [P] of a person's hand [H] intocontact at a position [1917] on the palm contact surface [1916], in amanner analogous to that discussed regarding the palm rest [930] inconnection with FIGS. 15-18. The contour of the palm contact surface[1916] of the palm rest [1915] is configured for facilitating control ofthe digit-controllable signal-generating devices [1902] and [1903] forgenerating digit signals [DS] by the person's hand [H], simultaneouslywith control of displacements of the body [1909] in the two-dimensionaldirections [x, y] over the working surface [W] by the portion [P1] ofthe palm [P] of the person's hand [H] in contact at the position [1917]on the palm contact surface [1916]. In examples of the system [900], thepalm contact surface [1916] of the palm rest [1915] of thehand-controllable signal-generating device [1901] may include a mound[1919], being analogous to the mound [1705] as discussed in connectionwith FIGS. 16, 17 and 18, having a peak surrounded by downwardly-slopingsides represented by a series of concentric circles shown in FIG. 19.

It is understood throughout this specification that each of thehand-controllable signal-generating devices [901] and [1901] may includeone or a plurality of digit-controllable signal-generating devices, ofwhich each of the digit-controllable signal-generating devices [902],[903], [1902], and [1903] shown in FIGS. 9-20 is an example. Further,each of the examples [902], [903], [1902], and [1903] ofdigit-controllable signal-generating devices as are included in theexamples of the system [900] may independently be selected as having,for example: a keyboard [945], [1904] including a plurality ofdigit-controllable keys [946], [1905]; a thumb-controllable joystick[950], [1906]; or (not shown), another type of digit-controllablesignal-generating device, examples of which include a digit-controllablekey, a touch-screen, a track ball, a scroll-wheel, or a scroll-ball. Asexamples, the digit-controllable keys [946], [1905] may have functionsthat are pre-programmed or are user-programmable; and may collectivelyform part or all of a standard keyboard array, such as a QWERTY orDVORAK keyboard. In other examples (not shown), each of thehand-controllable signal-generating devices [901] and [1901] may includeany one or any combination of the further examples of variations of thefeatures as were earlier discussed regarding the digit-controllablesignal-generating device(s) [902], [903].

Referring to FIG. 20, the another example of the system [900] of FIG. 19is shown, with a right hand [RH] and a left hand [LH] respectively beingin contact with the hand-controllable signal-generating devices [901]and [1901]. FIG. 20 further shows a person's right hand [RH] in contactat the position [940] on the palm contact surface [935] of the palm rest[930] on the hand-controllable signal-generating device [901]. Further,FIG. 20 shows a person's left hand [LH] in contact at the anotherposition [1917] on the palm contact surface [1916] of the another palmrest [1915] of the another hand-controllable signal-generating device[1901]. As examples, the digit-controllable keys [946], [1905] maycollectively form part or all of a standard keyboard array, such as aQWERTY or DVORAK keyboard. In an example of operation, a person mayplace the another example of the system [900] on a working surface [W]with the bottom side [1005] of the body [905] of the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [901], and the analogous bottom side (notshown) of the body [1909] of the another hand-controllablesignal-generating device [1901], both facing the working surface [W].For example, the working surface [W] may be a desk top. The person maythen, as an example: place a portion [P1] of a palm [P] of the person'sright hand [RH] into contact with the palm rest [930] at the position[940] on the palm contact surface [935] as was discussed in connectionwith FIGS. 15-18; and may analogously place another portion [P1] ofanother palm [P] of the person's left hand [LH] into contact with thepalm contact surface [1916] at the position [1917] on the palm rest[1915]. Using only the portions [P1] of the palms [P] of the person'shands [LH], [RH], the person may then displace each of thehand-controllable signal-generating devices [901] and [1901]independently over the working surface [W] in the two-dimensionaldirections [x, y]. The contours of the palm contact surfaces [935],[1916] of the palm rests [930], [1915] are configured for facilitatingaccurate control by the portions [P1] of the palms [P] of the person'shands [LH], [RH], being in contact at the positions [940], [1917] on thepalm contact surfaces [935], [1916], of the displacements of each of thehand-controllable signal-generating devices [901], [1901] of the anotherexample of the system [900] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y]over the working surface [W]. In further examples (not shown) theanother example of the system [900] may include sensitivity modulator(s)for either or both of the biaxial-displacement detectors [1010], [1912].In those further examples, the sensitivity modulator(s) may be utilizedto vary the relative sensitivities of the biaxial-displacement detectors[1010], [1912] to the displacements of the respective hand-controllablesignal-generating devices [901], [1901] in the two-dimensionaldirections [x, y] over the working surface [W]. As examples, thesensitivity modulator(s) may be utilized by: causing the biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] from one of the biaxial-displacementdetectors [1010], [1912] to over-ride or be averaged together with thebiaxial displacement signals [BDS] from another of thebiaxial-displacement detectors [1010], [1912]; or to de-activate eitheror both of the biaxial-displacement detectors [1010], [1912].

In another example, two different persons may each place a portion [P1]of a palm [P] of one of their hands [H], one being a right hand [RH] andthe other being a left hand [LH], in contact respectively on the palmrests [930], [1915] at the corresponding positions [940], [1917] on thepalm contact surfaces [935], [1916]. The biaxial-displacement detectors[1010], [1912] respectively detect the displacements of the first andsecond hand-controllable signal-generating devices [901], [1901] in thetwo-dimensional directions [x, y] over the working surface [W]; andgenerate biaxial displacement signals [BDS] that are representative ofthe detected biaxial displacements. The signal transmitters [1015],[1913] may communicate the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] to thesame external electronic processor [EP], or may each communicate suchrespective signals to separate external electronic processors (notshown). As an example, the electronic processor(s) [EP] may include amicroprocessor. For example, the signal transmitters [1015], [1913] maybe integral with or otherwise in signal communication with therespective biaxial-displacement detectors [1010], [1912]. Further, forexample, the signal transmitters [1015], [1913] may be in wired,wireless, optical, or another form of electromagnetic radiation-basedcommunication with the external electronic processor(s) [EP]. As anotherexample, the external electronic processor(s) [EP] may include graphicaluser interface(s) [GUI] for displaying, as an example, cursor(s) [CU].In that example, the biaxial-displacement detectors [1010], [1912] maybe configured for generating the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] asbeing cursor control signals.

The apparatus [100] and the systems [900] may generally be utilized inend-use applications for hand-controllable signal-generating devices andsystems. For example, the apparatus [100] and the systems [900] may bebroadly utilized in end-use applications for generating biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] by causing a person's hand [H] to displacethe devices [100] and systems [900] in two-dimensional directions [x, y]over a working surface [W]. The biaxial displacement signals [BDS] maybe utilized, for example, as controlling two-axis [x, y] movement of anobject or an image. As an example, the biaxial displacement signals[BDS] may be utilized as controlling two-axis [x, y] movement of animage displayed on a graphical user interface [128], [1025], such as acursor [CU]. The digit-controllable signal-generating devices [902],[903], [1902], [1903] that are included in the systems [900] mayfacilitate utilization of the systems [900] in end-use applicationswhere the generation of additional signals together with such biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] may be needed. For example, a system [900]having a digit-controllable signal-generating device [902], [1902] thatincludes a keyboard [945], [1904] may be utilized for concurrentlygenerating keyboard control signals and such biaxial displacementsignals [BDS]. As another example, a system [900] having adigit-controllable signal-generating device [903], [1903] that includesa thumb joystick [950], [1906] may be utilized for concurrentlygenerating two different biaxial displacement signals: one biaxialdisplacement signal [BDS] being generated by causing a person's hand [H]to displace the system [900] in two-dimensional directions [x, y] overthe working surface [W]; and another biaxial displacement signal beinggenerated by causing the thumb [TD] of the person's hand [H] to controlthe thumb joystick [950], [1906].

FIGS. 21 and 22 are flow charts respectively showing examples ofimplementations of processes [2100], [2200]. It is understood throughoutthis specification that the examples of implementations of the apparatus[100] and of the systems [900], including any of the features orcombinations of features that are disclosed in connection with theapparatus [100] or the systems [900], may be utilized in either of theprocesses [2100], [2200]. Accordingly, FIGS. 1-20 and the entireties ofthe earlier discussions of the apparatus [100] and the systems [900] arehereby incorporated into the following discussion of the examples of theprocesses [2100], [2200].

FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing an example of an implementation of aprocess [2100]. The process [2100] starts at step [2110]. Step [2120] ofthe process [2100] includes: providing a hand-controllablesignal-generating device [101], [901], [1901] including a body [105],[905], [1909] having a top side [110], [910], [1910], a palm rest [130],[930], [1915] being on the top side [110], [910], [1910], the palm rest[130], [930], [1915] including a palm contact surface [135], [935],[1916], the palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916] having a contourfor receiving a portion [P1] of a palm [P] of a person's hand [H] intocontact at a position [140], [940], [1917] on the palm contact surface[135], [935], [1916], the body [105], [905], [1909] having a bottom side[115], [1005] spaced apart by a distance from and facing away from thetop side [110], [910], [1910], the bottom side [115], [1005] beingconfigured for facilitating displacements of the body [105], [905],[1909] over a working surface [W] in two-dimensional directions [x, y],the body [105], [905], [1909] having a biaxial-displacement detector[120], [1010], [1912] that is configured for generating biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] that are representative of detecteddisplacements of the body [105], [905], [1909] in the two-dimensionaldirections [x, y] over the working surface [W]; and providing a signaltransmitter [125], [1015], [1913] configured for communicating thebiaxial displacement signals [BDS] to an external electronic processor[EP]. The process [2100] further includes, at step [2130]: facilitatingthe generation, by a portion [P1] of a palm [P] of a person's hand [H]being in contact at the position [140], [940], [1917] on the palmcontact surface [135], [935], [1916], of biaxial displacement signals[BDS] for communication to the external electronic processor [EP], byfacilitating control by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of thedisplacements of the body [105], [905], [1909] in the two-dimensionaldirections over the working surface [W]. The process [2100] may then endat step [2140]. In examples, the process [2100] may further include, atstep [2135]: placing the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person'shand [H] in contact at the position [140], [940], [1917] on the palmcontact surface [135], [935], [1916]; causing the portion [P1] of thepalm [P] to generate biaxial displacement signals [BDS] by controllingdisplacements of the body [105], [905], [1909] in the two-dimensionaldirections [x, y]; and causing the signal transmitter [125], [1015],[1913] to communicate the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] to theexternal electronic processor [EP].

In further examples of the process [2100], the facilitating thegeneration of the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] at step [2130] mayinclude: facilitating control by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of thedisplacements of the body [105], [905], [1909] in the two-dimensionaldirections [x, y] from the position [140], [940], [1917] on the palmcontact surface [135], [935], [1916] without a one digit [D] or any of aplurality of digits [D] of the person's hand [H] being in contact withthe hand-controllable signal-generating device [101], [901], [1901]. Inadditional examples of the process [2100], the facilitating thegeneration by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] at step [2130] may include: configuring thepalm contact surface [135], [935], [1916] for guiding a one digit [D] ora plurality of digits [D] of the person's hand [H] away from the palmcontact surface [135], [935], [1916] simultaneously while receiving theportion [P1] of the palm [P] into contact at the position [140], [940],[1917] on the palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916]. In otherexamples of the process [2100], the facilitating the generation by theportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the biaxial displacement signals [BDS]at step [2130] may include: configuring the palm contact surface [135],[935], [1916] for positioning a one digit [D] or a plurality of digits[D] of the person's hand [H] as being substantially unencumbered by thepalm contact surface [135], [935], [1916] when the portion [P1] of thepalm [P] is in contact at the position [140], [940], [1917] on the palmcontact surface [135], [935], [1916]. In some examples of the process[2100], the facilitating the generation by the portion [P1] of the palm[P] of the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] at step [2130] mayinclude: configuring the palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916] forreceiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] into contact at asubstantially-fixed position [140], [940], [1917] on the palm contactsurface [135], [935], [1916]. In further examples of the process [2100],the facilitating the generation by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] ofthe biaxial displacement signals [BDS] at step [2130] may include:facilitating generation of the biaxial-displacement signals [BDS] asbeing cursor control signals. In additional examples of the process[2100], the facilitating the generation by the portion [P1] of the palm[P] of the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] at step [2130] mayinclude: facilitating generation of the biaxial-displacement signals[BDS] as being keyboard control signals or joystick control signals. Inother examples of the process [2100]: the providing thehand-controllable signal-generating device [101], [901], [1901] at step[2120] may include providing the palm rest [130], [930], [1915] as beingmounted on a joystick [155], [1045] that includes anangular-displacement detector [215], [1050]; and the facilitating thegeneration by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] at step [2130] may include facilitatinggeneration, by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] being in contact at theposition [140], [940], [1917] on the palm contact surface [135], [935],[1916] for communication to the external electronic processor [EP], ofangular displacement signals [AS] that are representative of detectedangular displacements of the palm rest [130], [930], [1915] over the topside [110], [910], [1910] of the body [105], [905], [1909]. In someexamples of the process [2100]: the providing the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [101], [901], [1901] at step [2120] may includeproviding the joystick [155], [1045] as including a compressive forcedetector [415], [1120]; and the facilitating the generation by theportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the biaxial displacement signals [BDS]at step [2130] may include facilitating the generation, by the portion[P1] of the palm [P] being in contact at the position [140], [940],[1917] on the palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916] forcommunication to the external electronic processor [EP], of compressiveforce signals [FS] that are representative of detected compressiveforces applied by the palm [P] to the palm rest [130], [930], [1915]towards the top side [110], [910], [1910] of the body [105], [905],[1909]. In additional examples of the process [2100]: the providing thehand-controllable signal-generating device [101], [901], [1901] at step[2120] may include providing a rotational-displacement detector [515],[1405]; and the facilitating the generation by the portion [P1] of thepalm [P] of the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] at step [2130] mayinclude facilitating generation, by the portion [P1] of the palm [P]being in contact at the position [140], [940], [1917] on the palmcontact surface [135], [935], [1916] for communication to the externalelectronic processor [EP], of rotational displacement signals [RS] thatare representative of detected rotational displacements of the body[105], [905], [1909] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y] over theworking surface [W].

FIG. 22 is a flow chart showing an example of an implementation ofanother process [2200]. The process [2200] starts at step [2210]. Step[2220] of the process [2200] includes providing: a digit-controllablesignal-generating device [902], [903] for generating digit signals [DS];a hand-controllable signal-generating device [101], [901], [1901]; and asignal transmitter [125], [1015]. Step [2220] further includes providingthe hand-controllable signal-generating device [101], [901], [1901] asincluding a body [105], [905], [1909] having a top side [110], [910],[1910], a palm rest [130], [930], [1915] being on the top side [110],[910], [1910], the palm rest [130], [930], [1915] including a palmcontact surface [135], [935], [1916], the palm contact surface [135],[935], [1916] having a contour for receiving a portion [P1] of a palm[P] of a person's hand [H] into contact at a position [140], [940],[1917] on the palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916], the body [105],[905], [1909] having a bottom side [115], [1005] spaced apart by adistance from and facing away from the top side [110], [910], [1910],the bottom side [115], [1005] being configured for facilitatingdisplacements of the body [105], [905], [1909] over a working surface[W] in two-dimensional directions [x, y], the body [105], [905], [1909]having a biaxial-displacement detector [120], [1010], [1912] that isconfigured for generating biaxial displacement signals [BDS] that arerepresentative of detected displacements of the body [105], [905],[1909] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y] over the working surface[W]. Step [2220] additionally includes providing the signal transmitter[125], [1015] as being configured for communicating the biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] and the digit signals [DS] to an externalelectronic processor [EP]. The process [2200] further includes, at step[2230]: facilitating the generation, by a portion [P1] of a palm [P] ofa person's hand [H] being in contact at the position [140], [940],[1917] on the palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916], of biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] for communication to the external electronicprocessor [EP], by facilitating control by the portion [P1] of the palm[P] of the displacements of the body [105], [905], [1909] in thetwo-dimensional directions [x, y] over the working surface [W]; andfacilitating the generation of digit signals [DS] by control of thedigit-controllable signal-generating device [902], [903] by the person'shand [H]. The process [2200] may then end at step [2240]. In examples,the process [2200] may further include, at step [2235]: placing theportion [P1] of the palm [P] of the person's hand [H] in contact at theposition [140], [940], [1917] on the palm contact surface [135], [935],[1916]; causing the portion [P1] of the palm [P] to generate biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] by controlling displacements of the body[105], [905], [1909] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y], andcausing the person's hand [H] to generate digit signals [DS] by controlof the digit-controllable signal-generating device [902], [903]; andcausing the signal transmitter [125], [1015] to communicate the biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] and the digit signals [DS] to the externalelectronic processor [EP].

In additional examples of the process [2200]: the providing thedigit-controllable signal-generating device [902], [903] at step [2220]may include providing a keyboard [945], [1904] having a plurality ofdigit-controllable keys [946], [1905]; and the facilitating thegeneration of the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] and of the digitsignals [DS] at step [2230] may include facilitating the simultaneousgeneration of the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] by the portion [P1]of the palm [P] and of the digit signals [DS] by the person's hand [H].In further examples of the process [2200]: the providing thedigit-controllable signal-generating device [902], [903] at step [2220]may include providing a thumb-controllable joystick [950], [1903]; andthe facilitating the generation of the biaxial displacement signals[BDS] and of the digit signals [DS] at step [2230] may includefacilitating the simultaneous generation of the biaxial displacementsignals [BDS] by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] and of the digitsignals [DS] by the person's hand [H].

In additional examples of the process [2200]: the facilitating thegeneration by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] at step [2230] may include facilitatingcontrol by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the displacements of thebody [105], [905], [1909] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y] fromthe position [140], [940], [1917] on the palm contact surface [135],[935], [1916], without a one digit [D] or any of a plurality of digits[D] of the person's hand [H] being in contact with the hand-controllablesignal-generating device [101], [901], [1901]. In other examples of theprocess [2200]: the facilitating the generation by the portion [P1] ofthe palm [P] of the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] at step [2230]may include configuring the palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916]for guiding a one digit [D] or a plurality of digits [D] of the person'shand [H] away from the palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916]simultaneously while receiving the portion [P1] of the palm [P] intocontact at the position [140], [940], [1917] on the palm contact surface[135], [935], [1916]. In some examples of the process [2200]: thefacilitating the generation by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of thebiaxial displacement signals [BDS] at step [2230] may includeconfiguring the palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916] forpositioning a one digit [D] or a plurality of digits [D] of the person'shand [H] as being substantially unencumbered by the palm contact surface[135], [935], [1916] when the portion [P1] of the palm [P] is in contactat the position [140], [940], [1917] on the palm contact surface [135],[935], [1916]. In further examples of the process [2200]: thefacilitating the generation by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of thebiaxial displacement signals [BDS] at step [2230] may includeconfiguring the palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916] for receivingthe portion [P1] of the palm [P] into contact at a substantially-fixedposition [140], [940], [1917] on the palm contact surface [135], [935],[1916]. In additional examples of the process [2200]: the facilitatingthe generation by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] at step [2230] may include facilitating thegeneration of the biaxial-displacement signals [BDS] as being cursorcontrol signals. In other examples of the process [2200]: thefacilitating the generation by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of thebiaxial displacement signals [BDS] at step [2230] may includefacilitating the generation of the biaxial-displacement signals [BDS] asbeing keyboard control signals or joystick control signals.

In further examples of the process [2200]: the providing thehand-controllable signal-generating device [101], [901], [1901] at step[2220] may include providing the palm rest [130], [930], [1915] as beingmounted on a joystick [155], [1055] that includes anangular-displacement detector [215], [1050]; and the facilitating thegeneration by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] at step [2230] may include facilitating thegeneration, by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] being in contact at theposition [140], [940], [1917] on the palm contact surface [135], [935],[1916] for communication to the external electronic processor [EP], ofangular displacement signals [AS] that are representative of detectedangular displacements of the palm rest [130], [930], [1915] over the topside [110], [910], [1910] of the body [105], [905], [1909]. In thefurther examples of the process [2200]: the providing thehand-controllable signal-generating device [902], [903] at step [2220]may include providing the joystick [155], [1055] as including acompressive force detector [415], [1120]; and the facilitating thegeneration by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] of the biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] at step [2230] may include facilitating thegeneration, by the portion [P1] of the palm [P] being in contact at theposition [140], [940], [1917] on the palm contact surface [135], [935],[1916] for communication to the external electronic processor [EP], ofcompressive force signals [FS] that are representative of detectedcompressive forces applied by the palm [P] to the palm rest [130],[930], [1915] towards the top side [110], [910], [1910] of the body[105], [905], [1909].

In other examples of the process [2200]: the providing thehand-controllable signal-generating device [101], [901], [1901] at step[2220] may include providing a rotational-displacement detector [515],[1405]; and the facilitating the generation by the portion [P1] of thepalm [P] of the biaxial displacement signals [BDS] at step [2230] mayinclude facilitating the generation, by the portion [P1] of the palm [P]being in contact at the position [140], [940], [1917] on the palmcontact surface [135], [935], [1916] for communication to the externalelectronic processor [EP], of rotational displacement signals [RS] thatare representative of detected rotational displacements of the body[105], [905], [1909] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y].

In some examples of the process [2200], step [2220] of the process[2200] may further include providing: another digit-controllablesignal-generating device [902], [903] for generating additional digitsignals [DS]; another hand-controllable signal-generating device [101],[901], [1901]; and another signal transmitter [125], [1015]. In theseexamples of the process [2200], step [2220] may include, as an example:providing a hand-controllable signal-generating device [901]; andproviding another hand-controllable signal-generating device [1901]. Inthese examples of the process [2200], step [2220] further includesproviding the additional hand-controllable signal-generating device[101], [901], [1901] as including another body [105], [905], [1909]having another top side [110], [910], [1910], another palm rest [130],[930], [1915] being on the another top side [110], [910], [1910], theanother palm rest [130], [930], [1915] including another palm contactsurface [135], [935], [1916], the another palm contact surface [135],[935], [1916] having another contour for receiving a further portion[P1] of another palm [P] of a person's another hand [H] into contact atanother position [140], [940], [1917] on the another palm contactsurface [135], [935], [1916], the another body [105], [905], [1909]having another bottom side [115], [1005] spaced apart by anotherdistance from and facing away from the another top side [110], [910],[1910], the another bottom side [115], [1005] being configured forfacilitating additional displacements of the another body [105], [905],[1909] over the working surface [W] in the two-dimensional directions[x, y], the another body [105], [905], [1909] having anotherbiaxial-displacement detector [120], [1010], [1912] that is configuredfor generating additional biaxial displacement signals [BDS] that arerepresentative of detected additional displacements of the another body[105], [905], [1909] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y] over theworking surface [W]. In these examples of the process [2200], step[2220] further includes providing the another signal transmitter [125],[1015] as being configured for communicating the additional biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] and the additional digit signals [DS] to theexternal electronic processor [EP]. These examples of the process [2200]further include, at step [2230]: facilitating the generation, by thefurther portion [P1] of another palm [P] of a person's another hand [H]being in contact at the another position [140], [940], [1917] on theanother palm contact surface [135], [935], [1916], of additional biaxialdisplacement signals [BDS] for communication to the external electronicprocessor [EP], by facilitating control by the further portion [P1] ofthe another palm [P] of the additional displacements of the another body[105], [905], [1909] in the two-dimensional directions [x, y] over theworking surface [W]; and facilitating the generation of additional digitsignals [DS] by control of the another digit-controllablesignal-generating device [902], [903] by the person's another hand [H].

While the present invention has been disclosed in a presently definedcontext, it will be recognized that the present teachings may be adaptedto a variety of contexts consistent with this disclosure and the claimsthat follow. For example, the apparatus, devices and processes shown inthe figures and discussed above can be adapted in the spirit of the manyoptional parameters described.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice, including: a body having a top side, and having a bottom sidespaced apart by a distance from and facing away from the top side, thebottom side being configured for facilitating displacements of the bodyover a working surface in two-dimensional directions with the bottomside facing the working surface, the body having a biaxial-displacementdetector that is configured for generating biaxial displacement signalsthat are representative of detected displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions over the working surface; and a signaltransmitter configured for communicating the biaxial displacementsignals to an external electronic processor; wherein the body has a palmrest on the top side, the palm rest including a palm contact surface,the palm contact surface having a contour for receiving a portion of apalm of a person's hand into contact at a position on the palm contactsurface, the hand having one digit or a plurality of digits; and whereinthe contour of the palm contact surface of the palm rest is configuredfor facilitating control by the portion of the palm of the person'shand, being in contact at the position on the palm contact surface, ofthe displacements of the body in the two-dimensional directions over theworking surface without the one digit or any of the plurality of thedigits being in contact with the hand-controllable signal-generatingdevice.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contourof the palm contact surface of the palm rest is configured for guidingthe one digit or the plurality of the digits of the person's hand awayfrom the palm contact surface simultaneously while receiving the portionof the palm of the person's hand into contact at the position on thepalm contact surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the contourof the palm contact surface of the palm rest is configured forpositioning the one digit or the plurality of the digits of the person'shand as being substantially unencumbered by the palm contact surfacewhen the portion of the palm of the person's hand is in contact at theposition on the palm contact surface.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the contour of the palm contact surface of the palm rest isconfigured for receiving the portion of the palm of the person's handinto contact at a substantially-fixed position on the palm contactsurface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the palm contact surfaceof the palm rest includes a mound having a peak and downwardly-slopingsides; and wherein the portion of the palm of the person's hand includesa first part of the palm that is nearest to a wrist of the person; andwherein the first part of the palm is received into contact on a firstportion of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound when the portion ofthe palm is at the position on the palm contact surface; and wherein thefirst portion of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound has anattached upwardly-sloping lip.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: theone digit or the plurality of the digits of the person's hand includes athumb digit, and includes one non-thumb digit or a plurality ofnon-thumb digits; and wherein the portion of the palm of the person'shand includes a second part of the palm that is farthest from theperson's thumb digit; and wherein the second part of the palm isreceived into contact on a second portion of the downwardly-slopingsides of the mound when the portion of the palm is at the position onthe palm contact surface; and wherein the second portion of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound has another attachedupwardly-sloping lip.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the palm ofthe person's hand includes another portion being nearest to the person'sthumb digit, and wherein the palm contact surface is shaped for guidingthe another portion of the palm away from the palm contact surfacesimultaneously while receiving the portion of the palm of the person'shand into contact at the position on the palm contact surface.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 8, wherein the palm of the person's hand includes anadditional portion being nearest to the one non-thumb digit or to theplurality of the non-thumb digits of the person's hand, and wherein thepalm contact surface is shaped for guiding the additional portion of thepalm away from the palm contact surface simultaneously while receivingthe portion of the palm of the person's hand into contact at theposition on the palm contact surface.
 10. A system, comprising: adigit-controllable signal-generating device for generating digitsignals; and a hand-controllable signal-generating device, including abody having a top side, and having a bottom side spaced apart by adistance from and facing away from the top side, the bottom side beingconfigured for facilitating displacements of the body over a workingsurface in two-dimensional directions with the bottom side facing theworking surface, the body having a biaxial-displacement detector that isconfigured for generating biaxial displacement signals that arerepresentative of detected displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions over the working surface; and a signaltransmitter configured for communicating the biaxial displacementsignals and the digit signals to an external electronic processor;wherein the body has a palm rest on the top side, the palm restincluding a palm contact surface, the palm contact surface having acontour for receiving a portion of a palm of a person's hand intocontact at a position on the palm contact surface, the hand having onedigit or a plurality of digits; and wherein the contour of the palmcontact surface of the palm rest is configured for facilitating controlof the digit-controllable signal-generating device for generating digitsignals by the person's hand simultaneously with facilitating control bythe portion of the palm of the person's hand, being in contact at theposition on the palm contact surface, of the displacements of the bodyin the two-dimensional directions over the working surface without theone digit or any of the plurality of the digits being in contact withthe hand-controllable signal-generating device.
 11. The system of claim10, wherein the digit-controllable signal-generating device includes akeyboard having a plurality of digit-controllable keys.
 12. The systemof claim 11, wherein the plurality of the digit-controllable keys arearranged in a plurality of rows; and wherein the plurality of the rowsof the digit-controllable keys are arranged in a concave arc configuredfor placing each one of the plurality of the digit-controllable keys ina position suitable for being controlled by the one digit or by a one ofthe plurality of the digits of the person's hand simultaneously with theportion of the palm of the person's hand being in contact at theposition on the palm contact surface.
 13. The system of claim 10,wherein the digit-controllable signal-generating device includes athumb-controllable joystick.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The system of claim 10,wherein the contour of the palm contact surface of the palm rest isconfigured for guiding the one digit or the plurality of the digits ofthe person's hand away from the palm contact surface simultaneouslywhile receiving the portion of the palm of the person's hand intocontact at the position on the palm contact surface.
 16. The system ofclaim 10, wherein the contour of the palm contact surface of the palmrest is configured for positioning the one digit or the plurality of thedigits of the person's hand as being substantially unencumbered by thepalm contact surface when the portion of the palm of the person's handis in contact at the position on the palm contact surface.
 17. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the contour of the palm contact surface ofthe palm rest is configured for receiving the portion of the palm of theperson's hand into contact at a substantially-fixed position on the palmcontact surface.
 18. The system of claim 10, wherein: the palm contactsurface of the palm rest includes a mound having a peak anddownwardly-sloping sides; and the portion of the palm of the person'shand includes a first part of the palm that is nearest to a wrist of theperson; and the first part of the palm is received into contact on afirst portion of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound when theportion of the palm is at the position on the palm contact surface; andthe first portion of the downwardly-sloping sides of the mound has anattached upwardly-sloping lip.
 19. The system of claim 18, wherein: theone digit or the plurality of the digits of the person's hand includes athumb digit, and includes one non-thumb digit or a plurality ofnon-thumb digits; and wherein the portion of the palm of the person'shand includes a second part of the palm that is farthest from theperson's thumb digit; and wherein the second part of the palm isreceived into contact on a second portion of the downwardly-slopingsides of the mound when the portion of the palm is at the position onthe palm contact surface; and wherein the second portion of thedownwardly-sloping sides of the mound has another attachedupwardly-sloping lip.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the palm ofthe person's hand includes another portion being nearest to the person'sthumb digit, and wherein the palm contact surface is shaped for guidingthe another portion of the palm away from the palm contact surfacesimultaneously while receiving the portion of the palm of the person'shand into contact at the position on the palm contact surface.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the palm of the person's hand includes anadditional portion being nearest to the one non-thumb digit or to theplurality of the non-thumb digits of the person's hand, and wherein thepalm contact surface is shaped for guiding the additional portion of thepalm away from the palm contact surface simultaneously while receivingthe portion of the palm of the person's hand into contact at theposition on the palm contact surface.
 22. A process, comprising:providing a hand-controllable signal-generating device including a bodyhaving a top side, a palm rest being on the top side, the palm restincluding a palm contact surface, the palm contact surface having acontour for receiving a portion of a palm of a person's hand intocontact at a position on the palm contact surface, the hand having onedigit or a plurality of digits, the body having a bottom side spacedapart by a distance from and facing away from the top side, the bottomside being configured for facilitating displacements of the body over aworking surface in two-dimensional directions with the bottom sidefacing the working surface, the body having a biaxial-displacementdetector that is configured for generating biaxial displacement signalsthat are representative of detected displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions over the working surface; and providing asignal transmitter configured for communicating the biaxial displacementsignals to an external electronic processor; and facilitating thegeneration, by a portion of a palm of a person's hand being in contactat the position on the palm contact surface, of biaxial displacementsignals for communication to the external electronic processor, byfacilitating control by the portion of the palm of the displacements ofthe body in the two-dimensional directions over the working surfacewithout the one digit or any of the plurality of the digits being incontact with the hand-controllable signal-generating device.
 23. Aprocess, comprising: providing a digit-controllable signal-generatingdevice for generating digit signals; and providing a hand-controllablesignal-generating device including a body having a top side, a palm restbeing on the top side, the palm rest including a palm contact surface,the palm contact surface having a contour for receiving a portion of apalm of a person's hand into contact at a position on the palm contactsurface, the hand having one digit or a plurality of digits, the bodyhaving a bottom side spaced apart by a distance from and facing awayfrom the top side, the bottom side being configured for facilitatingdisplacements of the body over a working surface in two-dimensionaldirections with the bottom side facing the working surface, the bodyhaving a biaxial-displacement detector that is configured for generatingbiaxial displacement signals that are representative of detecteddisplacements of the body in the two-dimensional directions over theworking surface; and providing a signal transmitter configured forcommunicating the biaxial displacement signals and the digit signals toan external electronic processor; and facilitating the generation, by aportion of a palm of a person's hand being in contact at the position onthe palm contact surface, of biaxial displacement signals forcommunication to the external electronic processor, by facilitatingcontrol by the portion of the palm of the displacements of the body inthe two-dimensional directions over the working surface without the onedigit or any of the plurality of the digits being in contact with thehand-controllable signal-generating device; and facilitating thegeneration of digit signals by control of the digit-controllablesignal-generating device by the person's hand.
 24. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further including a rotational-displacement detector beingconfigured for generating rotational displacement signals that arerepresentative of detected rotational displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions over the working surface, wherein the signaltransmitter is configured for communicating the rotational displacementsignals to the external electronic processor.
 25. The system of claim10, further including a rotational-displacement detector beingconfigured for generating rotational displacement signals that arerepresentative of detected rotational displacements of the body in thetwo-dimensional directions over the working surface, wherein the signaltransmitter is configured for communicating the rotational displacementsignals to the external electronic processor.